Artwork
Robert Hooper, Jr.
Robert Hooper, Jr. is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist John Singleton Copley. It dates from 1770 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts Boston.
About this work
Overview
Robert Hooper, Jr. is an oil painting created by John Singleton Copley in 1770, currently housed at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Executed during the Rococo period, it exemplifies Copley's established portrait style before his relocation to London.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait depicts Robert Hooper, Jr., standing serenely in front of a tree, leaning on a cane. His attire, including a dark red coat with white cuffs and a black bow tie, reflects contemporary formal wear. His calm, directed gaze to the right conveys composure.
Technique & Style
Copley utilized chiaroscuro to imbue the subject with volume and depth. The contrasting light and dark tones, set against a nuanced background of clouds and water, enhance the overall dimensionality and focal pull of the figure.
History & Provenance
Painted in 1770, the work remained in private hands until its acquisition by the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, where it is now part of the permanent collection.
Context
Created on the cusp of Copley's move from colonial New England to England (in 1774), *Robert Hooper, Jr.* straddles the artist's American and impending European careers, showcasing his refined American Rococo portrait technique.
Artist & collection
Artist
John Singleton Copley (July 3, 1738 – September 9, 1815) was an American-born British painter active in both the Thirteen Colonies and England.
