The Western Brothers

Maker John Singleton Copley (American, 1738 - 1815, active in England)

SitterSitter: Charles Callis Western, later Baron Western of Rivenhall (British, 1767 - 1833)

SitterSitter: Shirley Western (British, 1768 - 1824)

Additional Title(s)

Charles Callis Western, later Baron Western of Rivenhall, and his brother Shirley Western: the Western brothers
Charles and Shirley Western

Collections

American Paintings Selections

ClassificationsPAINTINGS

Date1783

Mediumoil on canvas

Dimensions49 1/2 x 61 3/4 in. (125.7 x 156.8 cm.) frame: 64 x 75 7/8 x 4 1/4 in. (162.6 x 192.7 x 10.8 cm.)

DescriptionThis double portrait shows two brothers in three-quarters length against a balustrade. A hound crouches next to them with his head thrown up.

Credit LineThe Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens

Status

On view

Label TextDetermined to stand out at the Royal Academy's exhibition, American-born painter John Singleton Copley developed an innovative composition for this double portrait. The artist paints a scene full of action, contained within a narrow space defined by a low balustrade. Charles Western looks up from his drawing, his attention caught by his younger brother Shirley, who points enthusiastically to his right. The leaping dog and the portfolio's corner seem to spill out of the canvas into our space. Tousled hair, bending trees, and the curling edge of the paper held fast by Charles let us imagine the sensations one might experience on a sunny terrace during a breeze day.

Bibliography

British paintings at the Huntington

Object number14.7

Exhibitions

American Made: Selections from The Huntington's Early American Art Collections