Edward Williams Clay
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Illustration
Printmaking
Edward Williams Clay | |
|---|---|
 Life in Philadelphia (1829), plate 11 | |
| Born | April 17, 1799 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | December 31, 1857 (aged 58) New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Resting place | Christ Church Burial Ground |
| Known for | Painting Illustration Printmaking |
| Notable work | Life in Philadelphia |
Edward Williams Clay (April 17, 1799 – December 31, 1857[1]) was an American artist, illustrator and political cartoonist.[2] He created the notoriously racist collection of lithographs titled Life in Philadelphia.[3][4] He was also a notable comic strip pioneer.[5]
In 1799, Edward Williams Clay was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His parents were Robert Clay and Eliza Williams. Robert Clay was a sea captain.[1] He attended law school and as of 1825 was a member of the Pennsylvania Bar Association.[2] He started working as an engraver while in law school.[1] He quit his work in law and became a full-time artist.[2]
Career
From around 1825 until 1828 he studied art in Europe.[1] Starting in 1828 until circa 1830 he drew and published Life in Philadelphia,[3] which today, is seen as a "pointedly racist" depiction of early African American life in Philadelphia.[4] Starting in 1831, he focused on political cartoons. That year, he created the work "The Rats Leaving a Falling House," about Andrew Jackson.[1] In 1837, Clay relocated to New York City.[2] He created illustrations and art for books, magazines, and sheet music.[1]
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