Charles Loring Elliot, born in 1812, became an important American Portrait painter. He studied in John Quidor in New York City. From 1829-39, Elliott worked as an itinerant portrait painter across Central New York. After 1839, his work shifted primarily to NYC, where he became the premiere portraitist, succeeding Henry Inman. Among his famous sitters was James Fennimore Cooper. Elliott was able to capture individual characteristics in a straightforward manner, with little idealism or decoration. The viewer's exclusive attention is directed on the subject without distraction, usually in a neutral background. Elliott painted many prominent writers, artists and politicians of his time. He exhibited regularly at the National Academy of Design, NYC, regularly and was elected an associate in 1845. Elliott died in 1868.

Biography courtesy of The Caldwell Gallery, www.antiquesandfineart.com/caldwell