James Claypoole

James Claypoole, Sr. (January 22, 1720/21September 21, 1784) was an American portrait painter, house painter, and glazier. He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the son of Joseph Claypoole (1677-1740/41) and his second wife Edith Ward Claypoole (b. ?-d. 1737). He died in Philadelphia. Artistic training and works In 1741 he was still apprenticed to Gustavus Hesselius (1682–1755), a Swedish-born painter who resided in Philadelphia. It is probable that he painted the portraits of his brother, George Claypoole Sr. (1706-c1770), and sister-in-law, Hannah Claypoole (ca 1708–1745), as the portraits were in the household of George Claypoole, Sr., joiner and cabinetmaker, also shop keeper, Front Street, Philadelphia, Pa. Ca 1770 – portraits inherited by George and Hannah Claypoole's eldest son, George Claypoole Jr., (1733–1793), joiner and cabinet maker, of 65 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, Pa. Ca 1793 – portraits inherited by George Jr. and Mary (Parkhouse) Claypoole’s eldest and surviving son, Dr. Willam Claypoole, (1758–1797) of Wilmington, North Carolina. 1797 – portraits inherited by William and Mary (Wright) Claypoole’s only surviving child, Ann Grainger Claypoole, (ca 1791–1832) of Wilmington, North Carolina. Owned since 1984 by the Colonial Dames of Wilmington, North Carolina. He had two early students that went on to become well known artists: James Claypoole, Jr. (ca 1743–1822), and Matthew Pratt (1734–1805).