William Jennys (1774-1859)
A portraitist, William Jennys (active 1790 to 1805) painted throughout most of New England and New York. William and his father Richard (circa 1734 to 1809) worked together for seven years. In about 1800, Richard and William Jennys moved to Massachusetts where they painted portraits in the central and western part of the state.
William’s palette was usually muted and somber with an extensive use of green and brown. His portraits reflect the mezzotint prints on which he based his designs: a flat image with strong shadows and often having the suggestion of an oval border.