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Jacob Cox played a central role in the development of art in Indianapolis during the nineteenth century. Born in New Jersey, he moved to Indianapolis in 1830 with his brother to establish a tinsmith business. While earning a living as a craftsman, Cox pursued his passion for drawing and painting, eventually opening an art studio and becoming one of the city's first professional artists.
Known primarily as a portrait painter, Cox created likenesses of many of Indiana's leading citizens, including governors, politicians, and business leaders. As his artistic career grew, he studied in Cincinnati and later visited New York to further his training. By the 1860s, his home and studio had become a gathering place for Indianapolis artists.
In addition to portraits, Cox painted landscapes and still lifes inspired by the Indiana countryside. He continued to paint and exhibit throughout his life, helping lay the foundation for future generations of Indiana artists. Today, his work can be found in several museum collections across the country.
The Art Museum of Greater Lafayette's painting by Cox was donated by Mr. and Mrs. Nordyke, whose family purchased the work from an Indianapolis exhibition. With the assistance of Mona Berg and Sharon Theobald, this important painting was later returned to Lafayette, where it remains part of the museum's collection.