Charles C. Ingham facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Charles C. Ingham
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| Born | 1796/1797 Dublin, Ireland
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| Died | 10 December 1863 (aged 66–67) New York, United States
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Charles Cromwell Ingham (born 1796 or 1797 – died 1863) was an Irish artist. He was well-known for painting portraits. He later helped create an important art school in New York. This school is called the National Academy of Design.
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Early Life and Art Studies
Charles Cromwell Ingham was born in Dublin, Ireland. This was in either 1796 or 1797. His middle name, Cromwell, came from an ancestor. This ancestor was an officer in Cromwell's army.
From 1809 to 1813, Charles studied art. He attended The Dublin Institution. His teacher was William Cuming. Cuming's influence led Charles to focus on painting portraits of women. Another artist, Martin Archer Shee, also inspired him.
In 1810 and 1811, Charles won awards from the Dublin Society. He also won a special prize in 1815. This was for his painting called "The death of Cleopatra." Sadly, this painting is now lost. In 1816, Charles Ingham moved to the United States. He settled in New York. He passed away in New York on December 10, 1863.
Becoming a Famous Artist
When Charles Ingham arrived in New York, he quickly made a name for himself. He showed his painting "The death of Cleopatra" at the American Academy of Fine Arts. This was at its opening in 1816.
He became known for his oil paintings. But he also used watercolor on ivory. This was a common way to paint small miniature portraits. His oil paintings looked very smooth and detailed. He achieved this by adding many thin layers of paint. This style showed the influence of artist Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres.
Founding Art Institutions
Charles Ingham was a very active member of the art community. He was a founding member of the National Academy of Design in 1825. This was a major achievement. He served as the vice president of the Academy for many years. He held this role until his death.
In 1848, the Academy bought a new building. Charles Ingham led the committee for this project. He even designed the grand staircase. It became known as "Ingham's stairs." He also started the Sketch Club. He was its first president. He also helped found the Century Association.
Notable Artworks and Exhibitions
Charles Ingham was one of the best portrait painters of his time. He was especially known for painting young women. These were often from wealthy New York families. Between 1826 and 1845, he painted over 200 portraits. Some famous ones include Flower Girl (1846) and Day Dream. He also painted Portrait of a Child.
Sometimes, he also painted landscapes and historical scenes. He even joined a trip with a New York State geologist. On this trip, he made some of the first sketches of the Adirondack Mountains. His art was shown in many cities. These included Albany, Brooklyn, Philadelphia, and Washington. He also lived in Boston for a winter in 1842-1843.
