Chappel, Alonzo “S. F. Du Pont” [Samuel Francis DuPont]

Alonzo Chappel. “S. F. Du Pont.” [Samuel Francis DuPont] (1803-1865)

From National Portrait Gallery of Eminent Americans. New York: Johnson, Fry & Co., 1863. Octavo.  Ca. 7 3/8 x 5 ½.  Steel engraving.  Uncolored as originally issued. Very good condition.

DuPont was born a nephew of chemical firm founder E.I. duPont. Samuel was a career U.S. Navy man who achieved the rank of Rear Admiral, and the first to command "ironclad" ships during the Civil War.

Alonzo Chappel was a historical painter and illustrator.  Born in New York in 1828 he studied at the National Academy and exhibited at the American Institute before he was seventeen.  He lived his whole life in the New York City vicinity before his death in 1887.  He is mainly known as an illustrator of historical books; the majority of these concerning the American Revolution and the Civil War.  Some of his paintings and prints can be found at the New York and Chicago Historical Societies.  This print is a good example of Chappel’s work.