""The Sharples: Their Portraits of George Washington and His Contemporaries"" is an essential exploration of the artistic legacy of the Sharples family, whose pastel portraits remain some of the most enduring images of the American founding generation. Authored by Katharine McCook Knox, this work meticulously documents the travels and artistic output of James Sharples and his family during the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries.
The narrative focuses on the unique technique and prolific output of the Sharples family, who arrived in the United States from England to capture the profiles of political leaders, military heroes, and society figures. Central to the work is their renowned depiction of George Washington, alongside other key contemporaries such as Alexander Hamilton, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson. Knox provides a rich biographical context for the artists while offering a comprehensive catalog of their surviving works, many of which provide the most accurate visual records of these historical figures.
Combining art history with American history, this volume serves as a vital resource for scholars and enthusiasts of early American portraiture. It highlights the intersection of art and identity in the nascent United States, showcasing how the Sharples' intimate and precise pastel technique helped define the visual history of the Federal era.
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