Circle of Ralph Earl (American 1751-1801)Portrait of a gentleman holding a telescopeOil on canvas62.5 x 50cm (24½ x 19½ in.)UnframedRalph Earl was born in Massachusetts in 1751. He was largely self-taught and for many years was an itinerant painter. During the American revolution he was a loyalist and in 1778 fled to England disguised as the servant of a British Army captain. He became a student of Benjamin West and exhibited several works at the Royal Academy. Upon returning to America in 1785 her settled in Connecticut. He style influenced other painters including Joseph Steward of Hartford. Medium Oil on canvas