Lukens, Isaiah (1779-1846)

Lukens, Isaiah (1779-1846)

Peale, Rembrandt (attributed)

1800 (circa)

Isaiah Lukens (1779-1846) was best known in his own day as a maker of town clocks, but his mechanical genius led him also into the manufacture of machine tools, mathematical and surgical instruments. His father made clocks (see example on first floor) and the son made the towering clock at the Athenaeum (Busch Reading Room).

This portrait descended in the family of Franklin Williams along with a number of other Lukens items later donated by his widow in his memory. Charles Willson Peale is known to have painted Lukens (1816; Franklin Institute), but the Peale experts are not in agreement about which Peale did this painting; all agree it is a member of the family.

21" x 27"

Oil on canvas; gilt frame

Gift of Emily W. Williams.

General Collection, Museum Collection, The Athenaeum of Philadelphia

1990.M03.02

http://www.philaathenaeum.org/rights.html