Background
Moseley Isaac Danforth was born on December 11, 1800 in Hartford, Connecticut, United States. He was the son of Edward and Jerusha (Moseley) Danforth.
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Moseley Isaac Danforth
Edit ProfileEducation
In 1818 Danforth began the study of engraving under Asaph Willard of the Hartford Graphic Company. In 1827 he went to London to study at the Royal Academy.
Career
In 1821 Danforth established himself in New Haven, where his work soon gained him a wide reputation. Later he moved to New York and became one of the founders of the National Academy of Design.
In London he found that he was already favorably known for his full-length portrait of Lafayette. For ten years he remained in London, associating with Sir Thomas Lawrence, Gilbert Stuart Newton, Washington Irving, and other men of note, and upholding an excellent reputation as an engraver and water-colorist.
Danforth returned to New York in 1837. During his years in New York, he became interested in the engraving of banknotes, and his work in this department was characterized by great finish and delicacy.
Judged by his few paintings now in this country, Danforth had great ability in portraiture. The following are some of his best-known engravings: “Don Quixote”; “Sir Walter Scott, ” of which 14, 000 prints were sold; “Lord Holland’s Daughter”; “Washington Irving”; “Andrew Jackson”; “Alexander Pope”; “Landing of Columbus”; “Landing at Jamestown”; “Chaldean Shepherd”; “Forsaken”; “Lady Arabella Johnson”; “The Token” ; “Red Jacket”; and portraits of many early preachers.
Achievements
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Danforth's best-known work was his engraving of Leslie’s painting, “The Sentry Box”; but his original water-colors were very popular and brought high prices, and his copies of Titian and Veronese were much admired. His drawings from the Elgin Marbles are today considered remarkable. He formed the firm of Danforth, Underwood & Company, which about 1858 was merged with the American Bank Note Company, of which he was vice-president at the time of his death.
Personality
Danforth was a lovable personality, deeply religious, loyal in friendship, and of great modesty; he was “a man whose good qualities cannot be too highly estimated, an honor to art and society”.
Interests
Connections
In 1843 Danforth married Mrs. Hannah B. Durye Kennedy, daughter of Abraham Duryee of Harlem.
