Painted portrait of William Albright (or Albrecht) (1793-1852) by Jacob Eichholtz, c. 1830
William Albright, or Albrecht, was born May 23, 1793 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania to German printer, John Albright (1745-1806). He worked intermittently in Philadelphia as an ornamental painter, lithographic artist, limner, "dancing-master," and teacher of drawing from 1815 to 1845. Albright delineated the color plates for the "Floral Magazine and Botanical Repository" (Philadelphia, 1832-1834).
In 1820, Albright returned to Lancaster at his father's bequest, where until 1836, he published the "Staatsbothe" and continued the publication of the "New and Improved North American Almanac" started by Francis Bailey in 1775. On Christmas Day in 1821 he married Mary Weaver with whom he had one daughter, Anna M. Albright (1822-1855).
Albright returned to Philadelphia ca. 1837, and following a year as a dance master, taught drawing at 21 South Fifth Street until his death in 1852.
William Albright, or Albrecht, was born May 23, 1793 in Lancaster, PA. During his lifetime he worked as a printer, ornamental painter, lithographic artist, limner, dancing-master and teacher of drawing.
Between 1820 and 1836, Albright published a German-language newpaper in Lancaster, the 'Staatsbothe,' as well as the 'New and Improved North Americna Almanac.' Albright moved to Phila. in 1837 where he spent his remaining years teaching art.
On Christmas Day in 1821 William Albirhgt married Mary Weaver. The had one daughter, Anna M. Albright (1822-1855). The birth and death dates of Mary Weaver Albright are unknown.
Miniature portrait of Frances O. Swarr by J. Henry Brown. Oval image of Swarr is surrounded by a red velvet oval contained in a rectangular gold-colored plaster frame. Portrait is of a woman in a white dress, shoulders exposed; straight dark hair parted in middle. Part of a set with 2021.029.001 (Hiram B. Swarr). typed label on back identifies subject and artist. Framed by Wunderly Brothers, Pittsburgh.
John Henry Brown's career began in Philadelphia in 1845, where he painted most of his sitters. Brown often preferred to take daguerreotypes of his sitters and use those as guides for his miniatures, rather than having the person sit for him. He claimed it was easier to work from a small image than from a life-size model. (Smithsonian)
Provenance
Part of a collection of 109 letters, documents and 3 clippings saved by Hiram B. Swarr, Attorney & Co-Executor for the estate of James Buchanan.
