Thomas Badger (1784-1826)

Place: Reading

Born: 1784

Death: 1826

Biography:

Thomas Badger, a talented portrait painter, was born in 1784 in Boston, Massachusetts. He is known for his exceptional skill in capturing the essence of his subjects, and his work can be found in various museums and collections across the United States.

Training and Career

Badger trained with John Ritto Penniman, a renowned painter in Boston. This training had a significant impact on his style and technique, which is evident in his portraits. He specialized in portrait painting, and his subjects included prominent figures such as John Abbot, William Allen of Bowdoin College, Asa Clapp, Julia Margaretta Dearborn, George B. Doane, and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.

Notable Works and Collections

Badger's work can be found in various museums and collections, including the Boston Athenaeum, Maine Historical Society, Colby College, and the Brick Store Museum. His paintings are also part of the collection at the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco. Some of his notable works include portraits of Benjamin Page, Thomas Paul, and Frances Western Apthorp Vaughan.

Style and Technique

Badger's style is characterized by his attention to detail and ability to capture the essence of his subjects. His use of color and composition is notable, and his portraits are considered to be highly finished and realistic. According to Wikioo.org, Badger's still life paintings, such as the one in the collection of the Boston Museum, are "a highly finished and excellent picture, something in the style of Van Huysom."

Personal Life and Legacy

Badger married Rebecca Melendy in 1795, and they had several children together. He was also related to the portrait artist Joseph Badger. Unfortunately, Badger died of lung fever in 1826, at the age of 42.

• Badger's work can be found on Wikioo.org.
• His portraits are considered to be highly realistic and detailed.
• He was trained by John Ritto Penniman, a prominent painter in Boston.
• Badger's style is characterized by his use of color and composition.

may not be as well-known as some other American portrait painters, but his work is certainly notable and worth exploring. His portraits are a testament to his skill and attention to detail, and his legacy lives on through the many museums and collections that showcase his work. For more information about Thomas Badger and his paintings, visit Wikioo.org.