William Matthew Prior (1806–1873) “democratized” portraiture by devising a sliding-scale fee structure that made such visual documents available to a broad cross-section of American society. He adjusted his painting style accordingly, offering flat portraits “without shade” for less money than fully modeled depictions. This also allowed him to compete with the growing popularity of photography that was threatening to replace the painted portrait.
Prior was a fierce abolitionist, and his legacy includes a significant number of portraits of free African Americans in the pre–Civil War era. He was also deeply involved with the Adventist Movement started by prophet William Miller, who predicted the second coming of Christ in 1844; Prior painted leading members of this movement as well as Miller himself. Today, Prior is celebrated for the freshness and spontaneity of his portraits, particularly those that relied less on academic conventions.
With:
--Paul S. D’Ambrosio, president, New York State Historical Association and Farmers Museum, Cooperstown, New York
--Carol Crown, professor of art history, University of Memphis
--Stacy C. Hollander, chief curator and director of exhibitions, American Folk Art Museum
--Lee Kogan, curator emerita, American Folk Art Museum
New York City, NY; NYC