Portrait of Benjamin S. Judah

Ralph Earl

1794

Image

Portrait painting of man seated at desk in front of an open window, facing viewer and holding a book in his lap with his right hand on desk.

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Creator Bio

Ralph Earl

Ralph Earl was a self-taught, itinerant portrait painter, the son of a farmer. A Loyalist, he fled to England during the American Revolution. When he returned to the United States in 1785, he soon ended up in prison because of nonpayment of debts. When he was released, a wealthy patron helped him get commissions as a society portrait painter. He is credited with painting at least 183 portraits.