| John B. Neagle | ||
| Birth Date: November 4, 1796 |
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| Death Date: September 17, 1865 Artist Gallery |
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| John Neagle was born in 1796 in Boston while his parents were there on a visit. Apparently their home was in Philadelphia. His father was born in County Cork, Ireland. His mother was the daughter of a Yeoman (a person who owned his own land in the 18th century) of New Jersey. Neagle had little formal education, but was apprenticed for 5 years to a coach and ornamental painter of Philadelphia. That painter was a pupil of Bass Otis. Otis had established his studio in 1812 and he gave lessons to Neagle and painted a portrait of him, now in the Pennsylvania Academy of Art. About this time Neagle also met Thomas Sully, a successful portrait painter.
In 1818 Neagle set up his own studio in his mother’s home. When he decided the competition to become an established artist in Philadelphia was too competitive, Neagle traveled to Louisville, Kentucky and then on to New Orleans, painting portraits. Eventually he returned to Philadelphia. Neagle met Gilbert Stuart (Stuart was about age 70) in 1825. Stuart discussed techniques in portrait painting and he had Neagle paint his portrait which is now owned by the Boston Museum of Fine Arts.
In 1826 Neagle married Mary Sully, step-daughter to Thomas Sully.
Although Neagle had little formal education, he had an inquiring mind and continued his own education. His quick and accurate powers of observation and his retentive memory enabled him to absorb knowledge from other artists.
Neagle’s relationship with Thomas Sully was always respectful and cordial. The two families seemed to hold each other in affectionate regard. Both men were sure of their own abilities. There was no jealously. They were at that time the two top artists in Philadelphia. When Sully raised his prices, he would notify Neagle who kept his lower than Sully.
Neagle suffered a stroke which left him as an invalid for some years – Neagle died on September 17, 1865.
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