Portrait of Nathaniel Hurd 1766

John Singleton Copley painted this portrait of Nathaniel Hurd, an engraver and silversmith, during a time of growing colonial unrest. Copley himself straddled two worlds, achieving success in both America and England, and this portrait offers insights into the complex identities of artisans in pre-revolutionary Boston. Hurd is presented not in the trappings of aristocracy, but as a man of intellect and skill. The books hint at his learning, while his relaxed pose and direct gaze suggest a quiet confidence. Copley, like Hurd, was deeply aware of his social position, once lamenting, "Was I sure of doing as well here as in London, I would not leave this place." The painting subtly challenges the traditional hierarchy of portraiture. By depicting Hurd as both a craftsman and a man of substance, Copley captures a moment of shifting social identities. The painting then, becomes a powerful statement about the value and dignity of artisanal labor.