Alexander Hay Ritchie: A Mezzotint Master Capturing Victorian Dignity Alexander Hay Ritchie (1822-1895) emerged from Glasgow, Scotland, as a prodigious talent destined for both artistic innovation and transatlantic renown. His formative years were spent honing his skills under the tutelage of Sir William Allan, a celebrated Scottish portrait painter who instilled in Ritchie a profound appreciation for classical ideals blended with meticulous observation—a cornerstone of his distinctive style. Recognizing his potential, Allan encouraged Ritchie’s relocation to New York City in 1841, where he…