He was born on September 23, 1734 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. He was one of ten children of a family of artist artisans. His father, Henry Pratt, goldsmith, was a friend of Benjamin Franklin and a charter member of the Library Company. His mother was Rebecca (Claypoole) Pratt.
Education
He went to Stephen Vidal's school and at fifteen, after his father's death, was apprenticed to his uncle James Claypoole, a painter. From him Matthew learned the painter's craft, artistic and commercial.
Career
After nearly seven years' apprenticeship he joined with Francis Foster in opening their own shop. In 1757 Pratt made a trading voyage to Jamaica, incidents of which he later related entertainingly, but the venture was unsuccessful. He resumed his painting and in 1764 he accompanied Betsy Shewell, a relative, and John West to London where the romantic wedding of Benjamin West and his Pennsylvania sweetheart took place.
Pratt remained in England four years, receiving instruction from West, exhibiting "A Fruit Piece" at the Society of Artists in 1765, and spending some months at Bristol where, he wrote, "I practised to much advantage in my professional line".
In 1768 Pratt reopened his Philadelphia shop at Front and Pine streets. He was socially agreeable and his clientele included the Penns, Dickinsons, Willings, and other prominent families. Quest of a legacy due his wife took him in 1770 to Ireland, where he looked up the scenes of Cromwell's campaigning. At Dublin he painted Archdeacon Mann in canonical robes, a work exhibited at the Dublin Society of Artists and specially commended. Crossing to England he executed several orders at Liverpool and returned thence home.
In the depressed years of the Revolution and thereafter he resorted to signpainting to support a growing family. His signs for taverns and shops were described by John Neagle as "of a higher character than signs generally, well colored and well composed. "
He died in 1805 from a gout attack.
Achievements
Personality
Quotes from others about the person
According to Dunlap post, Pratt at all times maintained his standing as "a gentleman of pleasing manners, and a great favorite with the first citizens in point of wealth and intelligence".
Connections
On Decemebr 11, 1756, he was married to Elizabeth Moore, the daughter of Charles Moore, a merchant.