Daniel Wadsworth
Encyclopedia
Daniel Wadsworth of Hartford, Connecticut
, was a traveler, amateur artist and architect
, and arts patron. He is most remembered as the founder of the Wadsworth Atheneum
Museum of Art.
His ancestors were some of the first Puritan settlers of the Connecticut
colony. His father, Jeremiah
, was one of the most wealthy men in Hartford and was involved in trade, manufacturing, banking, and insurance. Young Daniel was introduced to the great art and architecture of the royal courts of Europe by his father. Daniel married Faith Trumbull in 1794 and was thus associated with John Trumbull
her uncle, one of the period’s most celebrated historical painters.
In later years, Wadsworth was a leading patron of painter Thomas Cole
, considered at the time America’s greatest landscape
painter. Wadsworth donated a lot on Main Street in Hartford for the Wadsworth Atheneum and provided many of the art objects initially displayed. He also helped Lydia Sigourney
with the publication of her first books.
Hartford, Connecticut
Hartford is the capital of the U.S. state of Connecticut. The seat of Hartford County until Connecticut disbanded county government in 1960, it is the second most populous city on New England's largest river, the Connecticut River. As of the 2010 Census, Hartford's population was 124,775, making...
, was a traveler, amateur artist and architect
Architect
An architect is a person trained in the planning, design and oversight of the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to offer or render services in connection with the design and construction of a building, or group of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the...
, and arts patron. He is most remembered as the founder of the Wadsworth Atheneum
Wadsworth Atheneum
The Wadsworth Atheneum is the oldest public art museum in the United States, with significant holdings of French and American Impressionist paintings, Hudson River School landscapes, modernist masterpieces and contemporary works, as well as extensive holdings in early American furniture and...
Museum of Art.
His ancestors were some of the first Puritan settlers of the Connecticut
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
colony. His father, Jeremiah
Jeremiah Wadsworth
Jeremiah Wadsworth was an American sea captain, merchant, and statesman from Hartford, Connecticut who profited from his position as a government official charged with supplying the Continental Army...
, was one of the most wealthy men in Hartford and was involved in trade, manufacturing, banking, and insurance. Young Daniel was introduced to the great art and architecture of the royal courts of Europe by his father. Daniel married Faith Trumbull in 1794 and was thus associated with John Trumbull
John Trumbull
John Trumbull was an American artist during the period of the American Revolutionary War and was notable for his historical paintings...
her uncle, one of the period’s most celebrated historical painters.
In later years, Wadsworth was a leading patron of painter Thomas Cole
Thomas Cole
Thomas Cole was an English-born American artist. He is regarded as the founder of the Hudson River School, an American art movement that flourished in the mid-19th century...
, considered at the time America’s greatest landscape
Landscape
Landscape comprises the visible features of an area of land, including the physical elements of landforms such as mountains, hills, water bodies such as rivers, lakes, ponds and the sea, living elements of land cover including indigenous vegetation, human elements including different forms of...
painter. Wadsworth donated a lot on Main Street in Hartford for the Wadsworth Atheneum and provided many of the art objects initially displayed. He also helped Lydia Sigourney
Lydia Sigourney
Lydia Huntley Sigourney , née Lydia Howard Huntley, was a popular American poet during the early and mid 19th century. She was commonly known as the "Sweet Singer of Hartford". Most of her works were published with just her married name Mrs. Sigourney.-Early life:Mrs...
with the publication of her first books.