George Peter Alexander Healy

Place: Boston

Born: 1813

Death: 1894

Biography:

Early Life and Training

, a prominent American portrait painter, was born on July 15, 1813, in Boston, Massachusetts. As the eldest of five children to an Irish captain in the merchant marine, Healy's early life was marked by hardship after being left fatherless at a young age. This situation led him to support his mother from a young age.

Artistic Career

Healy began drawing at 16 and soon became ambitious to be an artist. With the aid of Jane Stuart, daughter of Gilbert Stuart, he was introduced to Thomas Sully, whose advice greatly benefited Healy's early career. At 18, Healy started painting portraits, quickly achieving success.

European Sojourn

In 1834, Healy embarked on a 16-year European sojourn, studying with Antoine-Jean Gros in Paris and coming under the influence of Thomas Couture in Rome. This period was marked by his receipt of a third-class medal at the Paris Salon in 1840 and election as an Honorary Academician into the National Academy of Design in 1843.

Notable Works and Legacy

Healy's prolific career includes portraits of numerous eminent figures, such as:

• John C. Calhoun, showcased at the National Portrait Gallery (London, United Kingdom),
• James Buchanan, featured at the National Portrait Gallery (London, United Kingdom),
• The Peacemakers (1868), a significant historical work. He also painted portraits of all U.S. presidents from John Quincy Adams to Ulysses Grant for the Corcoran Gallery in Washington, D.C.

  Later Life and Death

  Healy returned to Chicago in 1892, where he passed away on June 24, 1894. His autobiography, "Reminiscences of a Portrait Painter," was published in 1894. View Healy's Works at Wikioo.org: [https://Wikioo.org/@/George-Peter-Alexander-Healy](https://Wikioo.org/@/george-peter-alexander-healy) Explore More Artists and Their Works: [https://Wikioo.org/Art.nsf/WebListeAllPortfolio](https://Wikioo.org/art.nsf/weblisteallportfolio)