A native of Bucks County, Pennsylvania (b.1823), Thomas Hicks began as a carriage painter, apprenticed to his cousin and primitive style artist, Edward Hicks. As early as 1836 Thomas received his first instruction in portrait painting from his cousin, Edward, whose portrait Thomas painted the following year. He received much acclaim, and with his talents evident seemed destined to be a professional artist.

With his father's encouragement, Hicks attended the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts*, but stayed only several months and then moved to New York City where in 1838, he entered the Antique Class of the National Academy of Design*. Within the year, he was exhibiting portraits, history and religious paintings at the Acad...