Thomas Sully: The American Lawrence Born in Horncastle, Lincolnshire, England, on June 19, 1783, Thomas Sully’s artistic journey began within the vibrant world of his family – actors Matthew and Sarah Chester. His early life was steeped in theatrical performance, a formative experience that instilled a keen eye for character and movement, qualities he would later translate into his celebrated portraiture. The young Sully received informal instruction from Jean Belzons, a French miniaturist, before a falling out led him to pursue his own path. This initial exposure to artistic techniques lai…