Matthew Pratt


Matthew Pratt was an American "Colonial Era" artist famous for his portraits of American men and women. He was born in Philadelphia, Province of Pennsylvania to goldsmith Henry Pratt, and Rebecca Claypoole, , he was the second of eight children born to the Pratts.

Apprenticeship

He was apprenticed to his uncle, artist James Claypoole from 1745 to 1755. From his uncle he learned different aspects of portrait painting. In 1764 he escorted his cousin, Betsey Shewell to England for her marriage to the American "expatriate" artist Benjamin West. West was gaining a distinguished reputation in England. Pratt stayed on in England for two and a half years as a pupil and colleague to West. It was during this time that he painted one of his best known works "The American School".

Back in America

In March 1768 he returned to America. Charles Willson Peale stated that at that time Matthew Pratt had a full-length portrait of John Dickinson and a considerable number of other works in progress. It was there that he met John Singleton Copley.

Marriage and children

In 1760 he married Elizabeth Moore,.
Their children were:
Pratt announced that he was recently returned from England and Ireland and also New York. He died in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on January 9, 1805, and is buried in Christ Church Burial Ground.

Oil paintings – portraits

The following galleries have works by Matthew Pratt: