Thomas Badger (1784–1868): The Delicate Precision of Boston Portraiture Thomas Badger, born in Reading, Massachusetts, in 1792, emerged as a prominent figure in the burgeoning American art scene during the early 19th century. His artistic journey began with formal training under John Ritto Penniman, a respected Boston painter who instilled in him a meticulous approach to technique and composition—a characteristic that would define his…