1John Adams to Abigail Adams, 6 July 1774 (Adams Papers)
We very seldom hear any solid Reasoning. I wish always to discuss the Question, without all Painting, Pathos, Rhetoric, or Flourish of every Kind. And the Question seems to me to be, whether the american Colonies are to be considered, as a distinct Community so far as to have a Right to judge for...
2John Adams to Abigail Adams, 19 October 1775 (Adams Papers)
I wish I could collect from the People of Boston or others, a proper Set of Paintings of the Scenes of Distress and Misery, brought upon that Town from the Commencement of the Port Bill. Posterity must hear a Story that shall make their Ears to Tingle.
3John Adams to Abigail Adams, 21 August 1776 (Adams Papers)
Peele shewed me some Books upon the Art of Painting, among the rest one by Sir Joshua Reynolds, the President of the English Accademy of Painters, by whom the Pictures of General Conway and Coll. Barry ...Leisure, and Tranquility of Mind to amuse myself with these Elegant, and ingenious Arts of Painting, Sculpture, Statuary, Architecture, and Musick. But I have not. A Taste in all of them, is...
4John Adams to Abigail Adams, 27 April 1777 (Adams Papers)
I think that not only History should perform her Office, but Painting, Sculpture, Statuary,
5John Adams to Abigail Adams, 12 April 1778 (Adams Papers)
It would be futile to attempt Descriptions of this Country especially of Paris and Versailles. The public Buildings and Gardens, the Paintings, Sculpture, Architecture, Musick, &c. of these Cities have already
6John Thaxter to Abigail Adams, 16 February 1780 (Adams Papers)
perhaps indiscreetly—but I have written nothing but Facts, which will not admit of Controversy. The Statuary, the Sculpture, Paintings and Architecture were very well executed in general. But what the End and Design of these things are, would not at this Juncture become me to explain, if they were not sufficiently obvious to you already.
7John Adams to Abigail Adams, 12 May 1780 (Adams Papers)
I could fill Volumes with Descriptions of Temples and Palaces, Paintings, Sculptures, Tapestry, Porcelaine, &c. &c. &c.—if I could have time. But I could not do this without neglecting my duty.—The Science of Government it is my Duty to study, more than... ...Architecture, navigation, Commerce and Agriculture, in order to give their Children a right to study Painting, Poetry, Musick,...
8John Adams to Abigail Adams, 25 July 1782 (Adams Papers)
...and law translator to the States General at The Hague. He had been trained in the law and is said to have mastered nine languages, including Hebrew; he collected 1,300 varieties of shellfish; he executed work in painting and sculpture that won recognition; and among learned works in various fields he wrote on the theology of insects. But his most famous work was an illustrated
9John Thaxter to Abigail Adams, 30 January 1783 (Adams Papers)
, “stiff dutch Figures.” As they are so offensive to our Friends, we desire they may be sent back, that we may present them to the Academy of Painting
10John Adams to Abigail Adams, 8 November 1783 (Adams Papers)
It is a great Curiosity indeed. There is an inestimable Collection of Paintings by the greatest Masters, Raphael, Rubens, Vandyke, and many others....as possible, and Satisfy your Curiosity, and improve your Taste, by viewing these magnificent Sceenes. Go to the Play—see the Paintings and Buildings—visit the Manufactures for a few Months—and then, if Congress pleases return to America...