Thomas Hicks (1823-1891)
Oil on canvas, c1867
Gift of the Partnership for New York City, Inc.
NYSM 2003.41.48

Elias Hicks’ promising career in the New York shipping industry was cut short by his death from consumption (tuberculosis) at the age of 37. Hicks was the grandson of Long Island Quaker abolitionist Elias Hicks (1748-1830). When a division in the Society of Friends occurred in 1827, the elder Elias was the leader of the more liberal separatist party, thereafter known as Hicksites.

In the nineteenth century Pennsylvania-born Thomas Hicks’ reputation far exceeded that of his now better-known cousin, folk artist Edward Hicks (1780-1849). From the 1850s through the 1870s, Thomas Hicks was considered one of the country’s most fashionable portrait painters. His prosperous career and advantageous marriage enabled him to enjoy summers at Thornwood, his country home and studio near Trenton Falls in Oneida County, NY. Thomas Hicks’ portrait of his cousin Elias is a replica of an original portrait by Thomas painted shortly before Elias’ death.