Thomas Le Clear Paintings

Thomas Le Clear was an American painter born on March 11, 1818, in Oswego County, New York. He was one of the notable portrait artists of the 19th century in the United States. Le Clear is especially known for his realistic portraits that often included a touch of character and narrative, setting his works apart from the straightforward portraiture of his time.

Le Clear showed an early interest in art and began his career without any formal training. He was largely self-taught, which was not uncommon for artists in the United States during this period. He traveled extensively throughout the United States to find commissions, which was a typical practice for itinerant artists of the time. Le Clear spent significant periods working in cities like Buffalo, New York, and Detroit, Michigan, among others, before eventually settling in New York City in the 1850s.

In New York, Le Clear's career flourished. He became associated with the National Academy of Design, an institution that played a central role in the art scene of the United States during the 19th century. In 1863, he was elected as an Associate member of the Academy, and he became a full Academician in 1865. His membership in such a prestigious organization was a testament to his skills and the high regard in which his contemporaries held his work.

Le Clear's portraits were valued for their detail and the lifelike quality he achieved. He was adept at capturing the textures of fabrics and the subtleties of facial expressions. His paintings often included symbolic elements or told a story, which was an innovative approach to portraiture during his time. One of his most famous works is 'Interior with Portraits' (circa 1865), which is a meta-commentary on the act of painting itself and features two children looking at a portrait within the painting.

Although Le Clear was known primarily for his portraits, he also painted genre scenes and occasionally landscapes. His genre paintings often depicted everyday life with a sense of humor and an eye for detail, providing a glimpse into the social customs of his era.

Thomas Le Clear died on November 26, 1882, in Rutherford Park, New Jersey. His works continue to be appreciated for their technical skill and their unique contributions to the narrative possibilities of portraiture. His paintings are held in major collections and museums across the United States, including the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington, D.C., and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.