A Simple Life, Summer, 2012
I’m a great lover of American folk art, and this article was a pleasure to research and write. Prior was one of the few early folk painters who also could paint in the academic style, but gave his clients a choice of which style based on price. Nearly everyone selected his plainer ~ and less expensive ~ style, and it became the standard for American folk art portraits during the 19th century. Plus, he was a very interesting fellow indeed.