1811 - 1888
A native of Charleston, South Carolina, Thomas Wightman studied art in New York City under Henry Inman, NA. Although it is not known exactly when he worked with Inman, it might have been around 1836, when Wightman made his first contributions to the Academy's annual exhibitions (ABG: does not make sense). He returned to Charleston at some point after 1836, but was back in New York by the summer of 1841. Modeling his own portrait style on that of his former teacher, he soon developed a steady clientele for his work. During the 1840s he is known to have made several trips back to Charleston, where he painted the likenesses of many prominent Southerners.
Wightman was a contributor to the annual exhibition from 1836 until 1854. According to the obituary address in the Minutes, he returned permanently to the South in the spring of 1861. The same account describes him as an "excellent artist and a most worthy man." (ABG: your note - types of works? all portraits?).
Wightman was a contributor to the annual exhibition from 1836 until 1854. According to the obituary address in the Minutes, he returned permanently to the South in the spring of 1861. The same account describes him as an "excellent artist and a most worthy man." (ABG: your note - types of works? all portraits?).
