The New Scholar

Art Historical Context

**The New Scholar** (1851) is a steel engraving produced by the American Art Union New York, after a painting by Francis William Edmonds and master engraved by Alfred Jones. 7 3/8 x 9 5/16 inches on a larger sheet, this print a domestic scene featuring boys, men, women and dogs—likely a humorous glimpse into 19th-century American family life centered on a young boy's introduction to learning. Edmonds, a banker-turned-amateur artist, specialized in genre scenes depicting everyday middle-class moments, reflecting the growing optimism and domestic ideals of antebellum America. The American Art Union played a key role in democratizing art by distributing affordable engravings like this one to subscribers, fostering national pride in American imagery during a time when European influences dominated. Steel engraving, the medium here, allowed for intricate details and high-volume production, making fine art accessible beyond elite collectors. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department as part of The Elisha Whittelsey Collection, **The New Scholar** highlights how prints bridged art and popular culture, inviting viewers to reflect on education, family bonds, and the simple joys of home in mid-19th-century society.

About the Artist

American Art Union, New York|Francis William Edmonds|Alfred Jones (American|American|American) · 1840 |1806 |1819 –1851 |1863 |1900

|American, Hudson, New York 1806–1863 Bronxville, New York|American, Liverpool, England 1819–1900 New York