John Neagle

Born in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1796, John Neagle became one of Philadelphia's most fashionable portrait painters during the first half of the 19th century. His artistic journey began with instruction from drawing-master Pietro Ancora and an apprenticeship with Thomas Wilson, a painter of signs and coaches. This connection proved pivotal, as Wilson introduced Neagle to prominent painters Bass Otis and Thomas Sully, with Neagle eventually becoming a protégé of Sully. By 181…