[Crockett, Davy] — John Gadsby Chapman | A central figure in the mythology of the American West

[Crockett, Davy] — John Gadsby Chapman

"Colonel Crockett." Circa 1950

Single sheet (679 x 559 mm). Hand-colored mezzotint, engraved by Charles Stuart, printed in the mid-20th century from the original 19th century copper plate, with wide margins, on hand-made paper.

A striking and lovely image of a central figure in the mythology of the American West.

Davy Crockett remains the archetype of the early American frontiersman. Though tied to the land that he helped to tame, Crockett was an active volunteer in the War of 1812, serving as a scout for General Jackson's army. Later, he became involved in politics and served in the Tennessee state legislature from 1822 to 1827. Crockett even held a seat in Congress from 1827 until 1835, when he joined the movement for Texan Independence. He met his death in 1836 during the heroic defense of the Alamo.

John Gadsby Chapman had met Crockett in the early 1830s, and subsequently painted a portrait study of the frontiersman. Crockett's death defending the Alamo in 1836 immediately made him a national hero, and Chapman worked up a full-length portrait. This painting was acquired for the State of Texas and hung in the State Capitol, where it was later destroyed when a fire consumed the building. Another version was obtained from the artist; this picture now hangs in the Harry Ranson Research Center, University of Texas at Austin.

The original 1839 version of this print is so rare as to be unobtainable, and is lacking from most major institutional collections.