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Biography
Robert Feke (1710-1750), American
Little is known about the actual life of this artist, although it is
thought he was born in Oyster Bay, Long Island to a Baptist family and
that he died in either Bermuda or Barbados. He is thought to have been a
mariner who traveled widely to England and Europem and he appeared in
Boston by 1741. In 1746, he was in Philadelphia.
His known career seems only to have lasted a decade, 1741 to 1751, when he
left Newport, Rhode Island. About 60 portraits of his have been found, and
their style shows the influence of John Smibert. But they also showed
Feke's unique qualities of vivid color, many flattened shapes, and
emphasis on texture of clothing and furniture. A well-known group portrait
by him is "Isaac Royal and His Family", now at Harvard University.
His subjects seem to have character and quite often appear to be
psychological studies. It is typical that they are in the foreground of a
landscape, sometimes their home. Fele was an itinerant, spending time in
many New England states.
Robert Feke Oil Paintings
Reproductions:
Tench Francis 60cm x 80cm (24" x 32") $260 - The Metropolitan Museum of Art
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