Jeremiah Lee 1766 - 1769

This miniature portrait of Jeremiah Lee was painted by John Singleton Copley, using watercolor on ivory, a popular choice for portable likenesses. The whole is encircled by garnets set in metal, probably silver or gold. Consider the labor involved in this small object. The ivory would have been painstakingly prepared, its smooth surface allowing Copley to achieve remarkable detail with his delicate brushstrokes. The garnets, each precisely cut and polished, speak to gem-cutting traditions and global trade routes, reflecting the high status of the sitter. As for Copley, he trained as a printmaker, and his sharp eye is evident here. He knew how to convey character and status through precision of line and form. While portraiture might be considered "fine art," it was also a craft, one that required technical skill and an understanding of the sitter's world. The portrait encapsulates a specific moment in time, reflecting both artistic skill and the material culture of its era.