Alban Jasper Conant
- BORN
-
September 24, 1821
Chelsea, Vermont
- DIED
-
February 3, 1915
New York, New York
- EDUCATION
-
University of Missouri-Columbia
Columbia, MissouriMadison University
Hamilton, New York
Alban Jasper Conant was both an artist and archaeologist who was active in Missouri from 1857 to 1885. As an artist, he is best known for his portraits, especially one of Abraham Lincoln.
Conant graduated from Madison University in Hamilton, New York, and then studied art in New York City under Henry Inman in 1844. In 1857, Conant moved to St. Louis and was active in its local arts scene. Conant was one of the founders of the Western Academy of Art and served as secretary of the organization. He also was part of the selection committee for paintings, drawings and sculpture for the St. Louis Agricultural and Mechanical Association in 1860.
In 1860, Conant received a commission from William McPherson, a St. Louis railroad executive, to paint a portrait of Abraham Lincoln during his presidential candidacy. Conant traveled to Springfield, Illinois, to paint him. The resulting portrait is referred to as the Smiling Lincoln. Conant liked Lincoln’s smiling expression and sought to capture it in a portrait. In 1861 to 1862, Conant traveled to Washington, D.C., where he completed portraits of Lincoln’s cabinet members, including Attorney General Edward Bates and Secretary of War Edwin Stanton. Throughout his life, Conant painted many portraits of prominent Americans such as Henry Ward Beecher, Dr. James McCosh and Major Robert Anderson.
In addition to his artistic career, Conant had a career in the sciences. He was a member of the Board of Curators of the University of Missouri in Columbia from 1868 to 1875. Conant was one of the founders of the School of Mines and Metallurgy in Rolla, Missouri, in 1870. He was the supervisor for the school for three years.
Conant also published several books during his lifetime: The Archaeology of Missouri ,published in 1876; Foot-Prints of Vanished Races in the Mississippi Valley, published in 1879; and My Acquaintance with Abraham Lincoln, published in 1890. Conant also gave lectures on the archaeology of Missouri.
Conant moved to New York in 1885 and had a studio there in the 10th Street Studio Building, where he lived until his death.
Pettes & Leathe Exhibition
Organized by Pettes & Leathe
Organized by Pettes & Leathe
Mississippi Valley Sanitary Fair
Organized by Western Sanitary Commission
Organized by Western Sanitary Commission
Pettes & Leathe Exhibition
Organized by Pettes & Leathe
Organized by Pettes & Leathe
National Academy of Design Exhibition
Organized by National Academy of Design
Organized by National Academy of Design
National Academy of Design Exhibition
Organized by National Academy of Design
Organized by National Academy of Design
National Academy of Design Exhibition
Organized by National Academy of Design
Organized by National Academy of Design
Awards & Exhibitions 11
Pettes & Leathe Exhibition
Organized by Pettes & Leathe
Organized by Pettes & Leathe
Mississippi Valley Sanitary Fair
Organized by Western Sanitary Commission
Organized by Western Sanitary Commission
Pettes & Leathe Exhibition
Organized by Pettes & Leathe
Organized by Pettes & Leathe
National Academy of Design Exhibition
Organized by National Academy of Design
Organized by National Academy of Design
National Academy of Design Exhibition
Organized by National Academy of Design
Organized by National Academy of Design
National Academy of Design Exhibition
Organized by National Academy of Design
Organized by National Academy of Design
References
Artist clippings file is available at:
Bibliography
Select Sources
“Alban Jasper Conant,” Find a Grave, accessed January 30, 2023, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/7325616/alban-jasper-conant.
Harold Holzer, “Out from the Wilderness: Little-Known Contemporary Paintings of Abraham Lincoln,” The Connoisseur, 199, no. 800 (October 1978), 124-131.
Judith A. Barter and Lynn E. Springer, Currents of Expansion: Painting in the Midwest, 1820-1940 (St. Louis: St. Louis Art Museum, 1977), 17,108-109.
Maria Naylor, ed., The National Academy of Design Exhibition Record 1861-1900 (New York: Kennedy Galleries, 1973), 1: 182.
George C. Groce and David H. Wallace, The New-York Historical Society’s Dictionary of Artists in America 1564-1860 (New Haven: Yale University Press, 1957), 143.
“Alban Jasper Conant Dead,” The Evening Missourian, February 5, 1915, 3.
“Alban J. Conant, Artist, Dies at 93," New York Times, February 4, 1915, 9.
“Painter of Lincoln and Other Great Men Works at 92: Sitting in the Studio he has Occupied for Thirty-two Years, Alban Jasper Conant Grows Reminiscent of the Distinguished Statesmen, Soldiers, Authors and Artists he has Known," New York Times, October 19, 1913, SM9.
“Conant, At 93, Still Painting Portraits," New York Times, September 25, 1913, 10.
Alban Jasper Conant, My Acquaintance with Abraham Lincoln (n.d, 1890), accessed February 8, 2023, https://archive.org/details/myacquaintancewi00cona/page/n7/mode/2up.
A.J. Conant, Foot-Prints of Vanished Races in the Mississippi Valley, Being an Account of Some of the Monuments and Relics of Pre-Historic Races Scattered Over Its Surface, With Suggestions As To Their Origins and Uses (St. Louis: Chancy R. Barns, 1879), accessed January 30, 2023, https://archive.org/details/footprintsvanrace00conarich.
Journal of the Senate, 24th General Assembly, Adjourned Session, 1868, page 255, General Assembly, Record Group 550, Missouri State Archives, Jefferson City, accessed February 9, 2023, https://cdm16795.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/senatej/id/7876.
Core Reference Sources
Peter H. Falk, et. al, Who was Who in American Art, 1564-1975: 400 Years of Artists in America (Madison: Sound View Press, 1999).
William H. Gerdts, Art Across America: Two Centuries of Regional Painting, 1710-1920 (New York: Abbeville Press, 1990).
askART (database), askART, https://www.askart.com/.
Image Credits
Artwork
Alban Jasper Conant, The First Gun at Fort Sumter (Major Robert Anderson), circa 1861?
Oil/Canvas, 102 x 63 inches.
Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Larz Anderson, 1924.4.1.
Portrait of Artist
Unknown, Portrait of Alban Jasper Conant, 1912.
Photograph.
Include in the Miami Metropolis, January 13, 1912, issue on page 10.
Contributors
Roberta Wagener, Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
Artist Record Published
Published on April 28, 2023
Learn more
References
Artist clippings file is available at:
Bibliography
Select Sources
“Alban Jasper Conant,” Find a Grave, accessed January 30, 2023, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/7325616/alban-jasper-conant.
Harold Holzer, “Out from the Wilderness: Little-Known Contemporary Paintings of Abraham Lincoln,” The Connoisseur, 199, no. 800 (October 1978), 124-131.
Judith A. Barter and Lynn E. Springer, Currents of Expansion: Painting in the Midwest, 1820-1940 (St. Louis: St. Louis Art Museum, 1977), 17,108-109.
Maria Naylor, ed., The National Academy of Design Exhibition Record 1861-1900 (New York: Kennedy Galleries, 1973), 1: 182.
George C. Groce and David H. Wallace, The New-York Historical Society’s Dictionary of Artists in America 1564-1860 (New Haven: Yale University Press, 1957), 143.
“Alban Jasper Conant Dead,” The Evening Missourian, February 5, 1915, 3.
“Alban J. Conant, Artist, Dies at 93," New York Times, February 4, 1915, 9.
“Painter of Lincoln and Other Great Men Works at 92: Sitting in the Studio he has Occupied for Thirty-two Years, Alban Jasper Conant Grows Reminiscent of the Distinguished Statesmen, Soldiers, Authors and Artists he has Known," New York Times, October 19, 1913, SM9.
“Conant, At 93, Still Painting Portraits," New York Times, September 25, 1913, 10.
Alban Jasper Conant, My Acquaintance with Abraham Lincoln (n.d, 1890), accessed February 8, 2023, https://archive.org/details/myacquaintancewi00cona/page/n7/mode/2up.
A.J. Conant, Foot-Prints of Vanished Races in the Mississippi Valley, Being an Account of Some of the Monuments and Relics of Pre-Historic Races Scattered Over Its Surface, With Suggestions As To Their Origins and Uses (St. Louis: Chancy R. Barns, 1879), accessed January 30, 2023, https://archive.org/details/footprintsvanrace00conarich.
Journal of the Senate, 24th General Assembly, Adjourned Session, 1868, page 255, General Assembly, Record Group 550, Missouri State Archives, Jefferson City, accessed February 9, 2023, https://cdm16795.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/senatej/id/7876.
Core Reference Sources
Peter H. Falk, et. al, Who was Who in American Art, 1564-1975: 400 Years of Artists in America (Madison: Sound View Press, 1999).
William H. Gerdts, Art Across America: Two Centuries of Regional Painting, 1710-1920 (New York: Abbeville Press, 1990).
askART (database), askART, https://www.askart.com/.
Contributors
Roberta Wagener, Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
Artist Record Published
Published on April 28, 2023
Updated on None
