The artwork titled “Reverend Thomas Cary,” created by John Singleton Copley, dates approximately from c.1770 to c.1773. This oil on canvas painting belongs to the Neoclassicism art movement and is a portrait genre. The dimensions of the artwork are 102.24 x 127 cm.
In the artwork, Reverend Thomas Cary is depicted seated, gazing directly at the viewer, exuding confidence and calm. He is adorned in a blue satin robe with pink linings, indicative of his clerical position and social status during the period. His hands are elegantly clasped over an open book, likely representing his scholarly pursuits and devout nature. The background reveals a bookshelf with various volumes, further emphasizing his scholarly disposition, while a rich red drapery adds depth and a sense of distinction to the composition. The artist’s meticulous attention to detail in the textures of the fabric and the reverend’s contemplative expression imbues the painting with a lifelike quality and a sense of introspection.
