Robert Feke

Robert Feke , c.1705-c.1750, early American portrait painter, b. Oyster Bay, N.Y. He practiced in Newport, R.I., New York City, Philadelphia, and Boston. He probably studied in Europe for a time, but soon developed a very personal painting style. His best-known portrait of Isaac Royall and his family (Harvard) shows the influence of John Smibert. His masterpiece of characterization is the portrait of Reverend Thomas Hiscox (1745; The Breakers, Newport, R.I.). His works are noted for their charm and elegance of costume. There are portraits by him at the Rhode Island Historical Society, Providence; Bowdoin College, Brunswick, Maine; and the Redwood Library, Newport, R.I. Feke disappeared at sea in 1750.

Bibliography: See study by H. W. Foote (1930).

Feke, Robert (b ?Oyster Bay, Long Island, NY, c.1705; d ?Barbados, ?1752). American Colonial portrait painter. Little is known of his life until 1741, when he executed a large portrait group in Boston, Isaac Royall and his Family (Harvard Univ.). Later he worked in Philadelphia, and he is last securely documented in 1751. There are about a dozen signed portraits from his hand and about 50 more are reasonably attributed to him. His works are somewhat lacking in characterization, but their strength and clarity of design and delicacy of touch give them a high place among Colonial portraits.

Feke, Robert (active 1741–51). American Colonial portrait painter. Little is known of his life until 1741, when he executed a large portrait group in Boston, Isaac Royall and his Family (Harvard Univ.). Later he worked in Philadelphia, and he is last recorded in 1751. There are about a dozen signed portraits from his hand and about 50 more are reasonably attributed to him. His works are somewhat lacking in characterization, but their strength and clarity of design and delicacy of touch give them a high place among Colonial portraits.