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The Power of a Portrait

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Nathaniel Sparhawk

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Nathaniel Sparhawk
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  • Slide Notes
  • Artwork Info
When looking at this piece we learned about the Sparhawk effect-- when things aren't always as they appear. The man in this portrait was Nathaniel Sparhawk. Everything about the piece suggests he was wealthy and important...but in reality he had no money of his own and even had to declare bankruptcy!

Nathaniel Sparhawk

1764
John Singleton Copley
231.14 x 149.86 cm (91 x 59 in.)
Oil on canvas
Classification: Paintings


Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

Charles H. Bayley Picture and Painting Fund
Accession number: 1983.595

On view: Studio Craft/Lee Gallery (1W02)


Inscriptions: Center right, on architectural plans: John.S.Copley./pinx 1764

View detailed information on mfa.org.



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