Francis Alexander

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Francis Alexander
self-portrait around 1830
Charles Dickens, portrayed in Boston in 1842 by Francis Alexander

Francis Alexander (born February 3, 1800 in Killingly , † March 27, 1880 in Florence ) was an American portrait painter and graphic artist .

Francis Alexander, the son of Neil Alexander and Esther Smith, grew up on his father's small farm. From 1820 he studied painting with Alexander Robertson (1772–1841) in New York . In 1823 he went to Boston and painted - mostly between 1825 and 1831 - preferably the local notables. Between 1831 and 1832 he toured Europe. In Rome , Francis Alexander lived with Thomas Cole . In Florence he met his future wife, the beautiful and wealthy Lucia Gray Swett (1814-1916), whom he married on May 9, 1836 in Boston Park Street Church . A year later, their daughter Francesca (1837–1917) was born. Under the guidance of her father, Francesca Alexander later became a sought-after illustrator .

In 1840 Francis Alexander became an honorary member of the New York National Academy of Design .

In 1842 Charles Dickens visited Boston. On this occasion, Francis Alexander's most famous picture was created (see bottom right in the article).

In 1853 Francis Alexander settled in Florence with his wife and child. The family stayed there. The only exception was a visit to the old homeland in 1868.

In old age, the artist gave up portraying. From then on he collected and sold pictures.

Francis Alexander found his final resting place in the Florentine Cimitero degli Allori (Laurel Cemetery). The wife and daughter were later buried there.

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personal data
SURNAME Alexander, Francis
BRIEF DESCRIPTION American portrait painter
DATE OF BIRTH February 3, 1800
PLACE OF BIRTH Killingly
DATE OF DEATH March 27, 1880
Place of death Florence