Description:
Framed engraving titled "The Reverend / JOSEPH SEWALL.DD" and inscribed along the bottom "Engraved & Sold by Nat. Hurd . BOSTON," which was engraved by Nathaniel Hurd (1729/30-1777) based on a c. 1766 portrait by John Singleton Copley (1738-1815). Born in Boston, Joseph Sewall (1688-1769) graduated from Harvard in 1707, and was pastor of the Old South church from 1713 until his death. On January 25, 1766, Copley wrote to an English engraver inquiring about the costs of obtaining a 14" by 10" mezzotint of "a good Old Decenting Cleargyman of this Town," Dr. Joseph Sewall of Old South Church. But Copley does not seem to have undertaken a Sewall portrait immediately; on November 25, 1766, Copley wrote to Benjamin West, "I have been painting the head of Decenting Cleargyman" and asked about the cost of having a 14" by 10" mezzotint scraped and for a recommendation of an engraver. Nathaniel and his brother, Benjamin Hurd (1738-1781) were both trained by their father, Boston silversmith Jacob Hurd (1702/03-1758). Nathaniel was also known for his talent as an engraver, which included his silver engravings, trade cards, seal cutting and die sinking, political charicatures and engraved prints such as this example. Nathaniel Hurd engraved two portraits of Sewall, a 7 1/8" by 4" mezzotint dated 1768 with "Ob. 27 June 1769 Aetat. 81-" added to the second state of the print; and a small 3 3/4" by 2 3/16" undated engraving. This smaller print presents Sewall in a circle rather than an oval, and has a briefer legend as seen above.
Tags:
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https://museums.fivecolleges.edu/detail.php?t=objects&type=ext&id_number=HD+61.147 |
