Mrs.Theodore Atkinson Jr 1765

John Singleton Copley painted "Mrs. Theodore Atkinson Jr." during a time when ideas about identity and society were being reshaped by the Enlightenment and growing colonial tensions. Here, Mrs. Atkinson is captured with trappings of wealth such as her silk dress and pearl choker. However, it's the presence of the squirrel, a popular pet at the time, that really draws our eye. In colonial America, where luxury goods were often imported, keeping a pet squirrel could signify a family’s engagement with both American and European cultures. Copley seems to be making a claim about the sitter’s identity; a colonial elite, yet deeply rooted in the American landscape. Copley’s own story adds another layer. As a Boston-based artist, he navigated between local patronage and desires for international recognition. His portraits often reflect this tension, seeking to balance American particularity with European artistic conventions. This portrait embodies the complex negotiations of identity, class, and belonging during a pivotal era in American history.