<p><span class="deck"><span class="typestyle">The man who may be America’s greatest artist liked to fend off the curious with the statement “My life is all in my works. ” He was right, but the works and the life take on new poignance with the release and exhibition of a once-private collection of his letters, photographs, and sketchbooks.</span> </span></p>
<p><span><span><span><span><span>American colonial elites surrounded themselves with paintings, furniture, and other objects to shape their identities and to set themselves apart from others.</span></span></span></span></span></p>
