English, 1819 - 1900
Alfred Jones was brought to the United States when he was an infant and during his youth he was apprenticed as an engraver with the printing firm Rawdon, Wright, Hatch & Edson in Albany, NY. In 1834 he moved to New York City where, while pursuing his vocation as an engraver, he began attending the National Academy's antique school. In 1839 the Academy awarded his drawing of Bertel Thorwalsen's Mercury first prize in their annual competition.
During the following decade Jones' career as an engraver flourished. He produced illustrations for both Graham's Magazine and Godey's Lady's Book, and was frequently commissioned to produced folio engravings of major American paintings for the American Art Union. These engravings were distributed to the Art Union's members annually and reproduced such works as William Sidney Mount's Farmer's Nooning and Richard Canton Woodville's War News from Mexico (see below). In 1846 he travelled to Europe and spent a year pursuing his studies in Paris. Upon his return to New York, Jones resumed his career as an engraver and began painting small genre pictures which were occassionally exhibited at the National Academy. Eventually Jones established his own business and devoted his energies to engraving bank-notes and postage stamps. He invented a precursor of the half-tone process which assured his continued success in the field. Despite his business concerns, Jones remained an active member of New York's artistic community throughout his career. He served as the Academy's treasurer from 1882 to 1890.
He was an active member of many other institutions including the Century Association, the American Watercolor Society and the Artists' Fund Society.
During the following decade Jones' career as an engraver flourished. He produced illustrations for both Graham's Magazine and Godey's Lady's Book, and was frequently commissioned to produced folio engravings of major American paintings for the American Art Union. These engravings were distributed to the Art Union's members annually and reproduced such works as William Sidney Mount's Farmer's Nooning and Richard Canton Woodville's War News from Mexico (see below). In 1846 he travelled to Europe and spent a year pursuing his studies in Paris. Upon his return to New York, Jones resumed his career as an engraver and began painting small genre pictures which were occassionally exhibited at the National Academy. Eventually Jones established his own business and devoted his energies to engraving bank-notes and postage stamps. He invented a precursor of the half-tone process which assured his continued success in the field. Despite his business concerns, Jones remained an active member of New York's artistic community throughout his career. He served as the Academy's treasurer from 1882 to 1890.
He was an active member of many other institutions including the Century Association, the American Watercolor Society and the Artists' Fund Society.
