Engraving

Title:

Alexander Hamilton

Object Name:

Engraving

Object ID:

1995.572.02

Creator:

Rosenthal, Max (1833-1918)Engraver

Date:

circa 1900

Description:

Mezzotint, portrait of Alexander Hamilton (1755-1804), by Max Rosenthal (1833-1918), c. 1900. Ink on paper on paperboard. One of 15 signed artist's proofs. Bust-length portrait of Alexander Hamilton in profile to right. Hamilton has white hair pulled in a queue; wearing a blue and yellow military coat with epaulets on shoulder and white cravat with neck ruffle. Dark background. Portrait is an oval shape surrounded by gold border. Printed signature lower margin at right, directly below image: "Max Rosenthal Sc." Signed in pencil lower right: "Max Rosenthal". Pencil inscription on paperboard, reverse: "846/ 9 x 11 3" and "377 / 11 x 15" with strikethrough. On frame's backing paper two paper labels covering pencil inscription on black paper: "[partial] Colonel Alexander Hamilton / born at St.Crois 1757; [paper label] / This proof mezzotint printed / in colors is very rare; and is / [paper label] / Rindge / Cho. Weck [?]" Paper label with handwritten ink inscription, upper center: "ALEXANDER HAMILTON, / FIRST SECRETARY OF THE / TREASURY, 1789." Paper label with handwritten ink inscription, lower center: "I pledge myself body and soul and / brain to the most sacred cause of the / American Colonies. I vow to it all my / best energies for the rest of my life. / I swear to fight for it with my sword; then, when the enemy is driven out, and / all the brain in the country needed to / reconstruct these tattered Colonies, and / and unify them into on great state, or group / of allied states, which shall take a respect -/ able place among nations, to give her all that / I have learned, all that my brain is capable of / of learning and conceiving. I believe that I / have certain abilities, and I solemnly swear to / [last line underlined] devote them wholly to my country. / Alexander Hamilton 1775". Paper label below, printed: "783 HAMILTON, Alexander. From a portrait in the possession / of the family. Considered by Alexander Hamilton as / the best portrait of himself. Engraved by Max Rosen-/ thal. India proof mezzotint printed in colors. Folio. / Edition limited to 15 printed in color." Gilded gesso over wood frame with interior beaded trim; glazed.

Material:

Paper

Dimensions:

H-11.8 W-9.2 inches

Credit Line:

New Hampshire Historical Society Collection

People:

Hamilton, Alexander (1755-1804)

Subjects:

Hamilton, Alexander