Francis William Edmonds

Francis William Edmonds (November 22, 1806 – February 7, 1863) was an American painter of genre subjects. He often painted in the style of 17th century Dutch painters.

This was followed, among other works, by Dominie Sampson in 1837, the Penny Paper in 1839, Sparking in 1840, Stealing Milk in 1843, Vesuvius and Florence in 1844, Bargaining in 1858, and The New Bonnet in 1859.

In 1838 he was elected an associate of the National Academy of Design, and in 1840 an academician. Edmonds was also active in the American Art-Union.

He devoted his mornings and evenings to painting, while maintaining his career in banking. His wife died in 1840 and he had a nervous breakdown so he went to Europe for rest for a year. Otherwise, he produced two to three paintings each year, in the manner of 17th century Dutch painting. His subjects were often literary and he had a touch of humor in his approach. The purchasers of his paintings did not consider their own taste to be average; rather they felt they bought truly American art. Edmonds's "art consistently garnered positive critical commentary throughout the 1840s and 1850s, the decades during which he frequently exhibited paintings". and had at least one daughter, Nora H. Edmonds.

After about 1854, he devoted much of the remainder of his life to developing a bank-note engraving company, improving his country estate in Bronxville, New York, and raising his large family; he had remarried after returning from Europe.

Death

He died at his residence in Eastchester, New York on the Bronx River on February 7, 1863.

Selected works List of works by Francis W. Edmonds.