Samuel King (artist)

Samuel King (January 24, 1749 − December 20, 1819) was an American painter of miniature portraits and instructor.

This article is about the 18th century artist. For other people with the same name, see Samuel King.
Samuel King
Born(1749-01-24)January 24, 1749
Newport, Rhode Island
DiedDecember 20, 1819(1819-12-20) (aged 70)
Newport, Rhode Island
OccupationPainter

Early life

Samuel King was born about January 24, 1749 in Newport, Rhode Island. His father, Benjamin King, made navigational and mathematical instruments. King received training to become a house painter in Boston, Massachusetts, which became one of his many occupations.[1][2]

Career

King had pursued several vocations before beginning his artistic career. He painted houses, made frames, decorated carriages and made mathematical and navigational instruments. After his marriage in 1770, King became increasingly interested in art, but also continued to make instruments.[1]

He made a miniature portrait painting Reverend Ezra Stiles in 1770, which is now part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection.[3] Stiles, who performed King's marriage ceremony, went on to become the president of Yale College.[1] The following year he painted Stiles' portrait on canvas.[4]

King taught artists Ann Hall, Charles Bird King, Edward Greene Malbone, and Washington Allston.[1] Malbone had been encouraged by King to become an artist.[5] Hall visited Newport to receive lessons from King.[6]

He created a transparency for the Rhode Island State House in 1783, which was "probably" illuminated from torches placed behind the large transparency.[2]

Personal life

King was married to Amy Vernon in 1770 by Reverend Ezra Stiles. She was the daughter of a successful merchant, Samuel Vernon.[1]

He died December 20, 1819 in Newport.[2]

  • Reverend Ezra Stiles, 1770, watercolor on ivory, Metropolitan Museum of Art
    Reverend Ezra Stiles, 1770, watercolor on ivory, Metropolitan Museum of Art
  • Reverend Ezra Stiles, 1771, oil on canvas, Yale University Art Gallery
    Reverend Ezra Stiles, 1771, oil on canvas, Yale University Art Gallery

References
  1. Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York, N.Y.); Carrie Rebora Barratt; Lori Zabar (January 1, 2010). American Portrait Miniatures in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Metropolitan Museum of Art. p. 42. ISBN 978-1-58839-357-9.
  2. Joan M. Marter (2011). The Grove Encyclopedia of American Art. Oxford University Press. p. 43. ISBN 978-0-19-533579-8.
  3. Samuel King, The Reverend Ezra Stiles. Collection. Metropolitan Museum of Art. Retrieved August 21, 2014.
  4. Neil Kamil (January 5, 2005). Fortress of the Soul: Violence, Metaphysics, and Material Life in the Huguenots' New World, 1517-1751. JHU Press. p. 479. ISBN 978-0-8018-7390-4.
  5. Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York, N.Y.); Carrie Rebora Barratt; Lori Zabar (January 1, 2010). American Portrait Miniatures in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Metropolitan Museum of Art. p. 91. ISBN 978-1-58839-357-9.
  6. Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York, N.Y.); Carrie Rebora Barratt; Lori Zabar (January 1, 2010). American Portrait Miniatures in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Metropolitan Museum of Art. p. 133. ISBN 978-1-58839-357-9.
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