A Legacy of Printmaking and Painting
Emily Sartain was an American painter and engraver born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She achieved distinction as the first woman in Europe and the United States to practice the art of mezzotint engraving. Her technical mastery was recognized on a global stage when she became the only woman to win a gold medal at the 1876 World Fair in Philadelphia for her work, The Reproof.
Her artistic journey was deeply connected to her family; her father, John Sartain, and her brothers, William, Henry, and Samuel, were all artists. Following a Grand Tour of Europe with her father, she studied at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts and later traveled to Paris, London, Parma, and Turin to study painting. During her time in Europe, she studied printmaking with Carlo Raimondi and studied under Évariste Vital Luminais.
Artistic Leadership and Education
Beyond her personal practice, Sartain was a significant figure in art education. She served as the director of the Philadelphia School of Design for Women, where she implemented life-drawing classes and established a professional program based on high technical standards. Her influence extended to the founding of several organizations, including:
- The New Century Club
- The Plastic Club
- The Three Arts Club
Her diverse body of work included portraits, genre paintings, and copies of paintings from Spanish and Italian galleries. Her engravings and mezzotints are held in various collections, including the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts and the Franklin Institute of Science.
