William Verstille: A Bostonian Master of the Rococo and Neoclassical Eras The world of early American art often focuses on grand narratives – the arrival of European settlers, the establishment of colonial institutions, and the subsequent rise of national identity. Yet, within this broader context lies a rich tapestry of individual artistic voices, quietly shaping the visual landscape of a nascent nation. Among these figures stands William Verstille (c. 1757 – 1803), an American painter whose elegant watercolor portraits offer a rare and intimate glimpse into the refined world of Boston’s e…