November 17, 2020 Early Arms & Militaria: Age of Exploration, Empire & Revolution
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/17/2020
JOHN RUBENS SMITH AFTER JOHN VANDERLYN
"General Andrew Jackson"
Copperplate line engraving, 'Smith scul.', nd. [c. 1820], np. [New York?]; 10-1/2" x 8" platemark and 18" x 11-1/2" overall; conservation-mounted in ebonized walnut frame.
A fine, proof state for an early engraving of the monumental portrait of Major General Andrew Jackson by John Vanderlyn (1775-1852), commissioned by the city of New York and completed during 1819-1820. No other example of this print has been located, nor is it mentioned in James G. Barber's Andrew Jackson: A Portrait Study (Washington, DC: National Portrait Gallery, 1991). The project may have never proceeded beyond the proof state and this example may be unique. 'Smith scul.' almost certainly refers to John Rubens Smith (1775-1849), the noted, English-born artist and engraver who is known to have been working in Brooklyn and Manhattan from c. 1814-1820s, before relocating to Philadelphia in the 1830s. CONDITION: paper bright and clean and well-defined, dark line engraving throughout; near fine condition overall. JLK
Item Dimensions: 21 x 16 - 1/2"