Albert Newsam facts for kids
Albert Newsam (born May 20, 1809 – died November 20, 1864) was an American artist. He was a talented painter. He also created many lithographs. These are special prints made from stone. Newsam drew pictures of people and places.
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Early Life of Albert Newsam
Albert Newsam was born in Steubenville, Ohio. This city is in the state of Ohio in the United States. From birth, he was deaf and could not speak. He was also an orphan, meaning he had no parents.
Newsam started making art when he was a very young boy. When he was still little, he met a man named William P. Davis. Davis pretended to be deaf and unable to speak, but he was not. He took Newsam to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Davis made Newsam create art, and then he would sell it to make money.
In 1820, Newsam was helped to leave Davis. He then went to school at the Pennsylvania School for the Deaf. This school helped him learn and grow.
Albert Newsam's Art Career
In 1827, Newsam began his art career. He became an apprentice to Cephas G. Childs. Childs was a printmaker. An apprentice learns a skill from an expert.
Newsam learned from many artists while working for Childs. One of his teachers was George Catlin. Newsam started working as a full-time artist in 1829. His drawings and paintings were printed and sold to people.
Later, Childs retired from his business. Peter S. Duvall took over the company. Newsam continued to work there. He became the main artist for Duvall's company.
Newsam drew and painted many different subjects. He created pictures of politicians, who are people in government. He also drew preachers and rich people. His art included landscapes, which are pictures of nature. He also made medical illustrations and pictures for sheet music.
Later Life and Death
In 1857, Newsam started to lose his eyesight. This made it harder for him to create art. In 1859, he had a stroke. A stroke is a serious medical event that can affect the body. After his stroke, he could no longer make art.
He moved to a place called the Living Home for the Sick and Well. This home was in the state of Delaware. Since he could not sell his art anymore, his friends helped pay for him to live there. Albert Newsam died at the home in 1864.
Albert Newsam's Legacy
Albert Newsam's artwork is still important today. His pieces are kept in famous collections. The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts owns some of his art. The Library Company of Philadelphia also has many of his works.
Books about Albert Newsam
- 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).
