David Claypoole Johnston: The Pioneer of American Graphic Art David Claypoole Johnston (March 25, 1799 – November 8, 1865) stands as a monumental figure in the history of American art and printmaking. Born in Boston, Massachusetts, he wasn’t merely an artist; he was arguably the first native-trained American to achieve mastery across all the diverse techniques of lithography, etching, metal plate engraving, and wood engraving – a feat unparalleled at the time and profoundly shaping the visual culture of his era. This remarkable accomplishment cemented his legacy as “the American Cruikshank,”…