|
Introduction
|
|
|
David Claypoole Johnston was born in Philadelphia on March
25, 1799. He grew up in Philadelphia, and as a teenager was apprenticed
to Francis Kearney for four years, where he learned engraving and etching.
His first lithograph appeared in the December 1825 issue of the Boston
Monthly Magazine. Shown is the proof from this lithograph. Click to enlarge.
|
|
In the early years of working as an artist, he supplemented his income
by working as an actor, first in Philadelphia and later in Boston. He
moved to Boston in 1825 to work in the theatre, and eventually began working
as a lithographer with the Pendleton's. The first lithographed sheet music
cover titled "The Log House," was lithographed by Johnston and
published March 14, 1826. Click to enlarge.
|
|
|
|
The Society has recently aquired several new works of art that will be
added to the collection. These include this sketch by D.C. Johnston, as
well as works by several of his family members. Click to enlarge.
|
Johnston's work was very well received in the United States. His most well-known
topics include the militia, temperance, religion, and politics. He is best
remembered for his contribution to the early years of lithography in
America, and, of course, as a humorist.
The American Antiquarian Society's David Claypoole Johnston Collection includes
approximately half of the known watercolors attributed to Johnston, as well
as a large collection of sketches and drawings in various stages of completion.
The collection has all nine volumes of Scraps, including many
of the sketches
he did while creating Scraps. The Society also has several
works attributed
to Johnston that are housed in its Sheet Music Collection, Lithograph Collection,
and Political Cartoon Collection. Johnston's works can also be
located in
various publications found in the Society's collection.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
