Epes Sargent c. 1760

John Singleton Copley painted this portrait of Epes Sargent in the mid-18th century in colonial America. It captures Sargent, a prominent merchant, in a pose of understated authority. Note how Sargent’s hand is placed deliberately on his chest, a gesture that suggests sincerity and trustworthiness. He leans casually on a classical-style plinth, subtly associating himself with the virtues of the ancient world. Copley, a master of detail, meticulously renders the textures of Sargent’s coat and the ruffles of his shirt, underscoring the sitter's wealth and status. The painting speaks volumes about the social and economic elite of its time. These were men who saw themselves as inheritors of European refinement, but who were also deeply involved in the transatlantic trade, including the slave trade. To truly understand this work, we can research the social and economic history of colonial America. By doing so, we see how art is always embedded in a specific time, place, and set of social relations.