Lot Essay
Born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, November 2, 1776, Jacob Eichholtz, began his career as a coppersmith in 1802. In 1808, he studied painting under Thomas Sully, but because of his financial responsibilities, he was unable to leave his career as a coppersmith. It was not until 1812, that Eicholtz was able to turn all of his attentions to painting. At about this time he travelled to Boston to study under Gilbert Stuart. In the following years, he travelled to Philadelphia, Harrisburg and Baltimore to paint the portraits of prominent citzens. In 1823, he moved his studio to Philadelphia, where he enjoyed a lively business exhibiting his work at the Society of Artists from 1811 to 1814 and at the Philadelphia Academy between 1823-1842. For further information see Sewell, et. al., hiladelphia, Three Centuries of American Art (Philadelphia, 1976) p. 288.