John Sartain

Biography

John Sartain (1808-1897) emigrated from England and became one of America’s foremost engravers, championing the mezzotint as a medium for rendering portraiture and literary subjects. His leadership of Sartain’s Magazine and his workshops provided artists with the tools to achieve fine gradations of tone and made high-quality reproductive prints widely accessible.

He nurtured aspiring engravers, donated works to cultural institutions, and left a legacy of technical excellence that endures long after his death, with his grave marked at Mount Peace Cemetery.