Thomas Birch (1779-1851) - From a Daguerreotype

Thomas Birch (1779-1851). From a Daguerreotype
Identifier: historyofrisepro00dunl_3 (find matches)
Title: A history of the rise and progress of the arts of design in the United States
Year: 1918 (1910s)
Authors: Dunlap, William, 1766-1839 Bayley, Frank W. (Frank William), 1863-1932 Goodspeed, Charles E. (Charles Eliot), 1867-1950
Subjects: Artists Art
Publisher: Boston, C. E. Goodspeed & co.
Contributing Library: Getty Research Institute
Digitizing Sponsor: Getty Research Institute



Text Appearing Before Image:
the boastedmistress of the ocean, were his chosen subjects. His first picture of this description, painted to order, wasthe Engagement of the Constitution and the Guerriere,for Mr. James Webster, a publisher, of Philadelphia. Thenext was the Wasp and Frolic, for Nicholas Biddle, thepresent president of the United States Bank. The battles ofthe frigate United States with the Macedonian — thosewhich resulted in Perrys victory on Lake Erie, and McDon-oughs on Lake Champlain, with a succession of similar sub-jects — furnished employment to his pencil in the path he hadchosen, and in which he stands unrivalled in our country. 1 Thomas Birch was born in Warwickshire, England, July 26, 1779, coming to Amer-ica in 1794 with his father. They first settled at Neshaminy Bridge, Bucks County,Pennsylvania, removing to Philadelphia about 1800. Thomas Birch painted a fewportraits early in his career, but after 1807 devoted his efforts to marine painting.He died in Philadelphia January 14, 1851.
Text Appearing After Image:
THOMAS BIRCH1779 —1851 From a Daguerreotype TALENT, DISSIPATION AND MEDIOCRITY 27 Stein. A portrait painter of this name was born in Washington,Virginia, but principally exercised his professional skill beyondthe Alleghanies. He is said to have had talent. In 1820 he painted portraits in Steubenville; and the sightof his work, and his manner of working, kindled that latentspark in the mind of Thos. Cole, which has since burst intoflame, and thrown a glow over the wilds of America and theplains of Italy. Mr. Stein died a young man. Penniman.1 This is the name of an ornamental painter, who flourishedin Boston about this time and after. He had more talent andskill than many who aspire to higher branches of the art. Ifhe had had that education, or those feelings, which would haveled him to aspire to the character and conduct of a gentleman,he would have been a good artist and a respectable citizen;but he became a drunkard, and died despised or lamented,according to the feelings of those