Henry Dexter, sculptor

Southworth & Hawes · 1850–1860

Born in 1806 in Nelson, New York, as a child Henry Dexter wanted to be an artist. While apprenticed to a blacksmith, he took his first painting lessons. After moving to Boston in 1836, Dexter opened a portrait studio, and within several years, he was painting the likenesses of well-known people. He taught himself the art of sculpture and specialized in portrait busts. Dexter sculpted busts of famous individuals, such as Charles Dickens and President James Buchanan. This bust-length portrait of Dexter was taken around 1855. Dexter died in 1876 in Boston. Neg #13498-B.