Asher Brown Durand (1796-1886) was born in New Jersey and studied engraving under the guidance of his father, a watchmaker and silversmith. Durand grew even more advanced in engraving via an apprenticeship to NJ engraver Peter Maverick (from 1812-1817). Upon completing this apprenticeship with Maverick, Durand opened a branch of the team’s firm in New York.
In 1818, Durand began to study and draw from plaster casts and figures at the American Academy of Fine Arts in New York. His work was noticed by the Academy’s president, John Trumbull who then commissioned Durand to engrave his painting of the Declaration of Independence.
Durand became a leading and master engraver and enjoyed great success and partnerships–through producing bank notes, book illustrations, portraits, and copies after other artists’ works.
In the early 1830s, Durand’s work as an engraver decreased heavily and he began painting portraits (which are reminiscent of the early masters). It is noted that he retired from engraving as he grew to prefer painting portraits.
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