MEDIUM: Mezzotint,
DATE: c.1776.
EDITION SIZE: Image size 11 3/4 x 8 3/4" (298 x 223 mm).
DESCRIPTION: The artist and engraver are not noted. Joseph Warren graduated from Harvard in 1759. He then studied medicine with James Lloyd and opened a medical practice in 1764. In December 1769 Warren received a commission from the Earl of Dalhousie, Grand Master of Masons in Scotland, appointing him Provincial Grand Master of Masons in Boston and within 100 miles of the same. The commission was dated May 30, 1769. When the Earl of Dumfries succeeded Dalhousie as Grand Master of Scotland, he issued another appointment to Warren, dated March 7, 1772, constituting Warren "Grand Master of Masons for the Continent of America," thus extending his original limits. He was untiring in the discharge of his Masonic duties and, coupled with the labors of his extensive medical practice, the care of his motherless children, together with his patriotic devotion to his country, won for him the highest regard of the public and the craft. In the early 1770's he developed a close friendship with Samuel Adams and Paul Revere and became one of the original founding members of the "Sons of Liberty." After the Boston Massacre in 1771 and the anniversary speech in 1772, he penned "The Suffolk Resolves" which stated that the citizens of Massachusetts would create a militia to protect its citizens. If the Royal Governor of Massachusetts (Thomas Gage) was to arrest anyone for political reasons, the militia would retaliate by seizing officials of the crown as hostages. The First Continental Congress approved "The Suffolk Resolves" and directed the other colonies should support Massachusetts in its endeavor. On April 18, 1775, Warren sent Paul Revere and William Dawes to warn Samuel Adams and John Hancock, as well as to call out the Massachusetts Militia because the British Army was marching from Boston to the towns of Lexington and Concord to seize arms and rebels. On June 14th he was chosen as the second Major General of the Massachusetts Militia and was killed in action a few days later while rallying the troops during the third and final siege of Bunker's Hill.
ADDITIONAL INFO: Provenance of this impression is Zachary T. Hollingsworth upon his death in 1925 bequeathed it to his son Valentine, who upon his death in 1942, bequeathed it to his son Mark Hollingsworth. This print was acquired from the wife of Mark Hollingsworth. This print was acquired from the wife of Mark Hollingsworth. It is an extremely rare American mezzotint portrait and there are only a few known examples. The example in Yale is also trimmed within the image and the impression that was sold at Northeast Auctions five years ago was trimmed within image on top inch.
CONDITION: Fair condition, with remains of original handcoloring. Backed on "Fabriano" paper. Bottom margin including part of the title has been expertly replaced and manuscripted in to fix the damages.
REFERENCE: Fielding American Engravers 1907; Yale Mabel Brady Collection 1946.9.960
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