What was advertised in a colonial American newspaper 250 years ago today?
“Late Pupil to Sir JOSHUA REYNOLD’s, of Leicester Fields, LONDON.”
When John Grafton migrated to Charleston, he introduced himself to his new community with an advertisement in the South-Carolina Gazette and Country Journal. Like many other artists and artisans, he emphasized his training and credentials since prospective clients were not familiar with him by reputation. In addition to being a “PORTRAIT PAINTER,” Grafton was “Late Pupil to Sir JOSHUA REYNOLD’s, of Leicester Fields, LONDON.” Grafton expected that at least some readers would recognize the name of one of the most influential English portrait painters of the eighteenth century. Reynolds was one of the founders of the Royal Academy of Arts in 1768 and served as its first president. The following year, George III knighted him. Grafton sought to benefit from the acclaim achieved by his mentor, asserting that since “he has been under one of the first Masters of that Art in England, and having made [painting portraits] his principal Study for a Number of Years, he shall be able to give general Satisfaction.” For those who needed more convincing, he had “several Specimens of his Performance on display” for their inspection.
After conferring with other artists in South Carolina, Grafton realized that he likely would not have “constant employ” solely from commissions for portraits. “[B]eing unwilling to let any Tim slip unimproved” and needing to support himself, he intended to offer lessons in drawing. Grafton announced that he reserved two days each week for giving “Instructions at his Academy.” Many tutors, especially those who taught dancing and French, advertised private lessons. Grafton did the same for those who wished to learn to draw, indicating that they could be “initiated at their Houses.” He also presented his services to schoolmasters and -mistresses interested in adding drawing to their curricula. What could pupils expect from their lessons with Grafton? He confidently asserted that he “will engage to make any one that has some Instructions in Drawing, or has the least Genius for Painting, capable of taking their own, or any Person’s Likeness with Crayons, in less than three Months.” Students could assess their own progress relative to this claim, entering their lessons with the understanding that their skills should improve within months rather than over years thanks to “the most easy and agreeable Manner” of Grafton’s instruction. They could learn “one of the politest Arts” from a student of an acknowledged master, an endeavor that had its own cachet for the “Ladies and Gentlemen” of South Carolina.
