Deborah Scollay Melville (Mrs John Melville), c.1762, watercolour on ivory, Worcester Art Museum, Worcester Massachusetts. Museum purchase, 1917.184.	Joseph Barrell, c.1767, pastel on cream laid paper, Worcester Art Museum, Worcester, Massachusetts.Museum purchase, 1915.81.

Part 2/2: 1771-1815

While oil paint was a dominant medium in Copley's work, he was also the first native-born American artist to paint miniatures, mainly oil on copper, but also some watercolour on ivory. His first known miniature watercolour on ivory was Deborah Scollay Melville (about 1762), held in the Worcester Art Museum. Copley was also adept at producing pastels such as his portrait of Joseph Barrell (about 1767), held in the same museum. Although primarily known for his portraits, Copley also produced a number of history paintingssuch as, The Return of Neptune, c.1754, Oil on canvas; Gift of Mrs. Orme Wilson, in memory of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. Nelson Borland, 1959 (59.198) which is based on a mezzotint.

In June 1771, Copley travelled to New York where he stayed until December by this time, Copley's work reached a level of competence and maturity which had not been seen before in the works of his contemporaries. His technique became more skilled and lighting more dramatic. It was during this time that Copley was reaching the zenith of his career in America. This is also the same year he painted his portrait of Mrs Humphrey Devereux. (Compare the portrait of Mrs Devereux with another painted by Copley from the same period). His technique became more skilled and his lighting more dramatic. It was during this time that he reached the zenith of his career in America. The many commissions he received from Boston's élite included his portrait of the engraver Paul Revere (oil oncanvas, 1768-70, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston), and his portrait of Lucretia Chandler Murray (1763, oil on canvas, Worcester Art Museum) the wife of wealthy Bostonian, John Murray.

Lucretia Chandler Murray (Mrs. John Murray), 1763, oil on canvas, Worcester Art Museum, Worcester Massachusetts. Bequest of H. Daland Chandler, 1969.37.

Copley departed America on 10 June 1774 for London. He left without his family to spend time in Italy and France to look at works by the great European masters. His family joined him in London in June 1775 as war broke out in America. He was never to return to America.

Copley's career in England flourished. He met with both critical success and great wealth. He painted more multi-figure portraits and history paintings than ever. He was able to adapt his style easily to British taste, his style becoming more painterly and his poses more lively.

After a career in both America and England spanning nearly sixty years, Copley died peacefully from a stroke in September.