Albert Newsam
Albert Newsam (May 20, 1809 – November 20, 1864[1]) was an American artist. Born deaf-mute and based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he created paintings and drawings, including portraits.
Early life
Albert Newsam was born in Steubenville, Ohio. He was born deaf-mute and was orphaned.[2] He was a creative child, and at age eleven he was taken to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by a William P. Davis[1] who acted deaf-mute, and made money off of Newsam's talents. In 1920,[2] Newsam was placed in the Pennsylvania School for the Deaf, where he attended school.[3]
Mid-life and career
He started an engraving apprenticeship in 1827. He worked for Cephas G. Childs.[3] Newsam trained under George Catlin, and other engravers.[1] Newsam's work was published by Childs starting in 1829.[3] After working for Childs, he became principal artist for Peter S. Duval. Newsam specialized in portraits, which he painted and also etched on stone to make lithographs. He also worked off of the work of photographers and artists, such as Henry Inman and Gilbert Stuart, among others. Newsam created portraits of politicians, religious figures, and wealthy people. He also created landscapes, medical illustrations,[2] and sheet music.[1]
Later life, death, and legacy
His eyesight started to decline in 1857.[1] In 1859, Newsam sufffered a stroke. This affected his ability to work, and ended his career. He lived at the Living Home for the Sick and Well in Delaware until his death. His stay at the home was financially sponsored by his friends. A collection of his prints is held by the Historical Society of Pennsylvania.[2]
Notable collections
- Albert Newsam (self-portrait), unknown, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts[4]
- Pennsylvania Institution for the Deaf and Dumb, 1851, The Library Company of Philadelphia[3]
Further reading
- Lang, Harry G. Deaf Persons in the Arts and Sciences: A Biographical Dictionary. Westport: Greenwood Publishing Group (1995). pp. 274–276. ISBN 0313291705
- Pyatt, Joseph O. Memoir of Albert Newsam. Philadelphia: Self-published (1868).
- Stauffer, DMN. Lithographic Portraits of Albert Newsam. Philadelphia: Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography (1901).
References
- ^ a b c d e Bewley, John. "Keffer Collection of Sheet Music, ca. 1790-1895". Rare Book and Manuscript Library. University of Pennsylvania. Retrieved 2 January 2014.
- ^ a b c d "Albert Newsam Print Collection (V-100)" (PDF). Historical Society of Pennsylvania. Retrieved 2 January 2014.
- ^ a b c d "Pennsylvania Institution for the Deaf and Dumb". The Library Company of Philadelphia. World Digital Library. Retrieved 2 January 2014.
- ^ "Albert Newsam (self-portrait)". The Collection - Greenfield American Art Resource. Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. Retrieved 2 January 2014.