James Madison Papers
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To James Madison from Joseph Delaplaine, 31 January 1816

From Joseph Delaplaine

Philada: Jany 31t. 1816.

Sir,

Although I caused a Copy of your portrait to be taken for the purpose of having an engraving taken from it, yet, as it has not been executed, and as Mr. Wood our distinguished portrait painter goes to Washington to paint your portrait for me, I think it will serve my work better to have one of you at this age & from the life too, than a mere copy & from a picture painted many years ago.1

Have the goodness to sit to Mr. Wood, who will have the pleasure of presenting you this.2

Do me the favour of giving me a sketch of your life. It will take you but a few minutes—Birth—parentage—Education—Offices—Profession—&c &c & other things. Presidents Jefferson Adams, mr Jay &c all furnish theirs without scruple, as politics & panegyric will form no part of my work. Your obed. humle. st.

Joseph Delaplaine

RC (DLC).

1For Delaplaine’s previous efforts to obtain a suitable engraving of JM’s portrait, see Delaplaine to JM, 18 Nov. 1814, PJM-PS, description begins Robert A. Rutland et al., eds., The Papers of James Madison: Presidential Series (7 vols. to date; Charlottesville, Va., 1984–). description ends 8:391 and n. 1.

2Joseph Wood (ca. 1778–1830) was born near Clarkstown, New York, and apprenticed to a New York City silversmith in 1793. He began to paint miniatures in 1801, studied with renowned miniaturist Edward G. Malbone, and worked in partnership with John Wesley Jarvis in New York, 1802–10. After three years in Philadelphia, 1813–16, he lived the rest of his life in Washington, where he drew models for the patent office, directed an art school, and cultivated a distinguished clientele despite his tendency to drink to excess. His oil portraits of JM and Dolley Payne Madison were painted in March 1817 (Andrew J. Cosentino and Henry H. Glassie, The Capital Image: Painters in Washington, 1800–1915 [Washington, D.C., 1983], 29, 275; PJM, description begins William T. Hutchinson et al., eds., The Papers of James Madison (1st ser., vols. 1–10, Chicago, 1962–77; vols. 11–17, Charlottesville, Va., 1977–91). description ends 1:xiii).

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