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for William Smith Jewett
1812 - 1873
William Smith Jewett, often confused with William Jewett moved to New York City during his early adulthood. Little is known of his earliest training as an artist, but in 1838 he enrolled in the National Academy's antique school and was awarded the first premium, a golden palette, for his drawing of the Epaminondas. In the spring of the same year he began exhibiting his portraits at the Academy's annual exhibitions. During the following decade Jewett pursued his studies at the Academy's antique life schools and soon established a successful career as a portraitists.
In 1849, hoping to make his fortune in the California gold rush, Jewett moved to San Francisco. After failing to secure this goal he resumed his career as an artist and found a ready market for his portraits. Although few records shed light on Jewett's career in California, the number of portraits in private and public collections suggest that he achieved moderate success. In 1869, however, he decided to return to New York. During the intervening years his name had been largely forgotten and, faced with a new generation of American portraitists, he failed to resstablish his reputation. In 1871 he married Elizabeth Dunbar, niece of a Californian patron, and after a brief visit to the west coast they departed for a tour of Europe. During their travels Jewett became ill and died shortly after their return to the United States.
In 1849, hoping to make his fortune in the California gold rush, Jewett moved to San Francisco. After failing to secure this goal he resumed his career as an artist and found a ready market for his portraits. Although few records shed light on Jewett's career in California, the number of portraits in private and public collections suggest that he achieved moderate success. In 1869, however, he decided to return to New York. During the intervening years his name had been largely forgotten and, faced with a new generation of American portraitists, he failed to resstablish his reputation. In 1871 he married Elizabeth Dunbar, niece of a Californian patron, and after a brief visit to the west coast they departed for a tour of Europe. During their travels Jewett became ill and died shortly after their return to the United States.
