Study for "John Adams" 1783

John Singleton Copley rendered this preparatory sketch for “John Adams” in graphite, sometime in the late 18th or early 19th century. The drawing offers a glimpse into the making of an image, revealing how identities were carefully constructed in art. Born in Boston, Copley navigated a complex position as an American artist working on the cusp of revolution. This study shows Adams in a stance of power and intellect, holding a scroll, perhaps representing the laws and principles he helped shape. Consider how Copley, by training his eye to capture Adams, was part of a revolutionary narrative that elevated certain figures while obscuring others. Whose stories are missing from this carefully constructed vision of American identity? The very act of portraying Adams becomes a statement about who is deemed worthy of representation. As you consider this drawing, reflect on the power dynamics inherent in portraiture, and how they reflect broader societal values and historical narratives.