Fine 19th C American School Classical Oil Painting Gentleman Portrait Of Mr. Will Barger Signed By Artist: John Sartain (1808-1897) Dated 1959 Size Of Painting 29'' X 36'' John Sartain was and is known as a major American artist whose engravings (mezzotints) are in collections and museums throughout the world. He is listed in no less than 37 publications including ''1897 Editors Who''s Who In American Art: American Art Annual'' Artprice Has Sartain Listed For Engravings No Oil Paintings John Sartain was a printmaker, miniaturist and portraitist. He was born in London in 1808. Left fatherless at the age of eight, Sartain was responsible for the support of his family. At age eleven, he took a job as assistant scene painter at Charles Kemble''s theater and at Vauxhall Gardens in London. In 1823, Sartain became an apprentice to engraver John Swaine, with whom he worked for seven years in heraldry and letter engraving. His work drew the attention of William Young Ottley, an art historian then writing a book on early Florence painters. Ottley commissioned Sartain to finish 14 plates for the book and to create 18 new ones. Sartain also learned to paint; he studied miniature painting with Henry Richter. Sartain was a prolific engraver, creating hundreds of illustrations for magazines, including his own magazine. He became active in engraving for various magazines including gentleman''s magazine, the casket, and Godey''s Lady''s magazine. Beginning 1841, Sartain produced a number of engravings for Graham''s magazine, and in 1849, deciding to try his hand at publishing, he, along with William Sloanaker, purchased a magazine for $5000.00 They changed the title to Sartain''s Union Magazine of Literature and Art. Among its noted contributors wer Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and Edgar Alan Poe. Meeting with financial failure, the magazine ceased publication in 1852, leaving Sartain with a debt that took him seven years to repay. Needing money, Sartain began work as a general engraver, engraving many works by prominent painters as well as banknotes. Besides engraving, sartain worked for 23 years as director of the Pennsylvania Academy Of The Fine Arts. He served as vice president for the Philadelphia School of Design for women, where his daughter Emily worked actively. In 1876, Sartain was chosen to head the art department for the centennial exposition.

Art (paintings, prints, frames)
Figures & Portraits