Pesented by Sara Champlin

Four members of the Babcock family were painted by Joseph Blackburn, one of the most sought-after portrait artists in America during the late 1750s and early 1760s. This demonstrates that some early residents of Westerly, Rhode Island were aware of artistic trends and talents beyond what was locally available, and that at least one Westerly family had enough social clout to attract the artist’s attention and could afford multiple commissions by him. This presentation by local Art Historian, Dr. Sara Champlin, will consider what having four portraits as opposed to one – or even a pair – can tell us about the family’s hopes, dreams, and ambitions, as well as about their economic status and social reality.

Free to members; $5.00 for not-yet members