Philip Tilyard

This self-portrait of Philip Tilyard (1785- 1830) hangs in the Maryland Historical Society Museum in Baltimore, Maryland.

"Philip Tilyard studied with his father, an English painter who had immigrated to America. After his father died, Tilyard worked with another artisan for a year and then with his brother as a sign and ornament painter. In 1814 the Baltimore City Directory listed his occupation as 'portraitist.' For a short time, Tilyard went into the dry goods business, but was unsuccessful and returned to making signs to support himself. Tilyard eventually built back his reputation as a portrait painter for wealthy Baltimore citizens. But this success did not last long, and he died poor from what his obituary described as a 'lingering illness.'" -- The Smithsonian Henry Luce Center