ARTIST: Peter Pelham
MEDIUM: Mezzotint
DATE: 1750
EDITION SIZE: Image size 13 7/8 x 9 7/8" (35.5 x 25.2 cm)
DESCRIPTION: P: Pelham pinx: et fecit. 1750. Sold by P: Pelham in Boston.<br><br> The Reverend Timothy Cutler, (1684-1765) Born in Charlestown, Massachusetts. Graduated from Harvard in 1701 and became pastor of a Congregational society in Stratford, Connecticut, in 1710. He soon acquired a high reputation as a preacher. Yale College having become established in New Haven, Mr. Cutler was appointed rector in 1719. By 1722 he questioned his Presbyterian faith and was dismissed from his position at Yale. He then travelled to England and was ordained by the Episcopal Church.in 1723 and received the degree of D. D. from both Oxford and Cambridge. He was appointed missionary by the Propagation society, returned to America, and took charge of Christ Church, Boston which position he held for the rest of his life.<br><br> Peter Pelham was born in London c.1697. In 1713 he apprenticed to John Simon, a leading engraver of mezzotints. Afterwards he found employment with various printsellers producing mezzotints. While in London he is known for producing at least twenty-six portraits. In 1726 or 1727 he emigrated to America with his wife and two sons. He settled in Boston and established a school where he taught writing, reading, dancing, painting, and needlework. He also practiced his work as an engraver of mezzotints. His first mezzotint, made in 1728, was of the prominent Puritan minister, Cotton Mather. He produced a total of sixteen engraved works including a map, “Plan of Louisbourg.” He is one of the earliest resident artists working in America and is believed to have produced the first mezzotint in the colonies. Pelham was stepfather to the artist, John Singleton Copley through his third marriage to Mary Singleton. His son, Henry Pelham, is known to have produced a large map of Revolutionary era Boston. His prints are seldom seen and are considered to be of great rarity.
ADDITIONAL INFO:
CONDITION: Good condition. B/W
REFERENCE: Oliver, A. "Peter Pelham, Sometime Printmaker of Boston" #12; Stauffer #2465.
Login / Register
Basket
