American, 1803 - 1888
Although James Whitehorne was active as a portraitist for over six decades, relatively little is known about his life and career. According to William Dunlap he received his earliest training in painting from an amateur artist visiting Vermont around 1823. By 1828 he had moved to New York City and had enrolled in the National Academy's antique school. Later in the same year he was awarded the first premium, a silver palette, for drawing from the antique and also commenced exhibiting his portraits at the Academy's annual exhibitions.
Whitehorne never sought further formal training, but often received friendly advice from such artists as William Dunlap, Samuel F.B. Morse, and John Trumbull. His career as a portraitist advanced rapidly and he was frequently represented in the Academy's annual exhibitions. From 1838 to 1844 he served as the Academy' recording secretary and from 1844 to 1846 he spent his winters working in Washington, DC. Aside from these excursions, Whitehorne spent his entire career working in New York City. He was considered one of the most prolific portraitists of his day, but after mid-century his success began to wane. He continued to exhibit his works at the National Academy up to 1870, yet he was represented increasingly infrequently. After his death the eulogy given at the Academy's council meeting of April 2nd 1888 stated, "He was a well known and most industrious painter of portraits and his works are heirlooms in the homes of many of the old families of New York..." Despite his prolific talents, relatively few of his portraits have been documented in the twentieth century.
Whitehorne never sought further formal training, but often received friendly advice from such artists as William Dunlap, Samuel F.B. Morse, and John Trumbull. His career as a portraitist advanced rapidly and he was frequently represented in the Academy's annual exhibitions. From 1838 to 1844 he served as the Academy' recording secretary and from 1844 to 1846 he spent his winters working in Washington, DC. Aside from these excursions, Whitehorne spent his entire career working in New York City. He was considered one of the most prolific portraitists of his day, but after mid-century his success began to wane. He continued to exhibit his works at the National Academy up to 1870, yet he was represented increasingly infrequently. After his death the eulogy given at the Academy's council meeting of April 2nd 1888 stated, "He was a well known and most industrious painter of portraits and his works are heirlooms in the homes of many of the old families of New York..." Despite his prolific talents, relatively few of his portraits have been documented in the twentieth century.
