William Sidney Mount Painted by hand in oil, brushstroke by brushstroke

early life and education

charles loring elliott, an american painter, was born in auburn, new york, in 1812. his father, a builder, encouraged his son's early interest in drawing and architecture. elliott's health was fragile, but he persevered to develop his artistic skills. he studied with colonel john trumbull and john quidor in new york city, refining his technique.

career

elliott returned to central new york, where he worked intensively at portrait painting for 10 years. his portraits "were never stiff, or clumsy, or cold; but gradually grace, and ease, and warmth, and high feeling, stole into the forms on his canvas…" (source: currier gallery of art). needing the stimulation of the city, he returned to new york in 1845, where trumbull approved of his progress. the following year, he was elected to the national academy of design.

notable works and clients

elliott's technique is neither provincial nor uncertain. his method is mature, his drawing firm, his color fresh and clean, and his likenesses excellent. some of his notable works include:

• don quijote and falstaff, figure pieces
• the head of skaneateles lake, a landscape
• portraits of fenimore cooper, fitz-greene halleck, and a. b. durand (the corcoran gallery, washington)
• governor bouck (city hall, new york)

museums and collections

elliott's works can be found in various museums, including:

• the metropolitan museum of art in new york city (four portraits)
• new york city hall
• new york state library at albany

legacy

elliott was considered the best portraitist of his day, with over 700 portraits to his name. his legacy continues to inspire artists and art enthusiasts alike. to explore more of his works and other american painters, visit night watch or browse through the rembrandt van rijn collection on TopImpressionists.