Self-Portrait at 30,
detail
by Charles Bird King, 1815
Oil on canvas, 30" x 25¼"
Redwood
Library Painting Collection
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Charles Bird King
b. Newport, RI, September 26, 1785
d. Washington, DC, March 18, 1862
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Born September 26, 1785. Only child of Deborah Bird and Captain Zebulon
King.
Mother remarried in 1796 after the death of his father. Probably lived
at 32 Clarke Street in the house of his stepfather Nicholas Garrison.
Apprenticeship with Edward Savage in New York 1800-1805.
Studied at the Royal Academy in London, 1806-1812. For part of the time
shared rooms with Thomas Sully.
Moved to Philadelphia in 1812, Exhibited paintings at the Pennsylvania
Academy of Fine Arts in 1813, 1814, 1818 and 1823.
Moved to Baltimore in 1815.
Grandfather Bird died in 1816 - he visited Newport.
Settled mother’s estate in 1820. Sold the Clarke Street house to aunt.
Re-inherited at the aunt’s death.
Established a public gallery at Clarke Street but didn’t continue for too
long.
Died Washington, D.C. March 18, 1862. Buried in Island Cemetery.
Continued his lifelong generosity to Redwood with a variety of additional
gifts at his death.
Also see: To Preserve Hidden Treasures:
The Scrapbooks of Charles Bird King, a publication of Redwood Library.
Self-Portrait at 70, detail
by Charles Bird King, 1855
Oil on canvas, 44½" x 34"
Redwood
Library Painting Collection
Bibliography
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