James Akin
Thomas Jefferson

Public Domain

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Artist James AkinAmerican, c. 1773–1846

Artist William Harrison, Jr.American, active 1797–1819

Artistafter Charles Willson Peale American, 1741–1827

CultureAmerican

Titles

Thomas Jefferson

Date1800

PlacePhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

MediumStipple engraving on laid paper, artist's proof

DimensionsImage (oval): 5 1/4 × 4 1/8 in. (13.3 × 10.5 cm)
Plate: 6 7/8 × 5 3/4 in. (17.5 × 14.6 cm)
Sheet: 7 1/8 × 5 7/8 in. (18.1 × 14.9 cm)

Credit LineThe Bayou Bend Collection, museum purchase funded by Edward Gregg Wallace, Jr. in honor of his granddaughters, Henning B. Wallace and Abigail J. Wallace at "One Great Night in November, 2008"

Object numberB.2008.8

Not on view

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Department

Bayou Bend

Object Type

PRINTS

DescriptionJames Akin and William Harrison’s engraved portrait of Thomas Jefferson presented Americans with one of the earliest opportunities to observe a likeness of the author of the Declaration of Independence. They based the print on Charles Willson Peale’s 1791 painting, which today hangs at Independence Hall. When the engraving was released for sale in January 1800, its title identified Jefferson as vice president of the United States. Later that year, Jefferson fought a bitter election campaign with his old friend, John Adams. Jefferson prevailed and became the nation’s third president. This impression of the engraving is a proof made prior to the addition of the title.
Provenance Research Ongoing Inscriptions, Signatures and Marks

Recto: Inscribed in graphite, in plate, lower center: T Jefferson [cursive]

Cataloguing data may change with further research.

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