John St. Clair

The painting, dated 1758 and recorded as an oil on copper portrait, entered the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is displayed within the American Wing and classified as a miniature portrait. Its inclusion in a major institutional setting has contributed to sustained scholarly attention to early American portraiture, positioning the work as a reference point for studies of Copley's technique and the development of portrait miniatures in the United States. The documented dimensions of 4.4 × 3.5 cm and its attribution to John Singleton Copley reinforce its significance within the canon of 18th-century American art.

John Singleton Copley painted John St. Clair in 1758, an oil on copper portrait from his early career. This work exemplifies the artist's developing skill as a portraitist in colonial New England. It reflects the Rococo aesthetic prevalent during the mid-18th century, showcasing Copley's attention to detail and his ability to capture the likeness and presence of his subjects.

The painting depicts John St. Clair, seated and attired in period clothing. Copley rendered the subject with considerable precision, meticulously detailing the textures and folds of his garments. This careful observation contributes to a sense of realism and conveys the sitter's social standing.

The portrait serves as a record of an individual from the colonial era, presented with a directness characteristic of Copley's approach.