JOHN RICHARDS (1831-1889)

John Richards (1831-1889), also known by Richard or Rychard, arrived in the United States from Switzerland in 1854. He is recorded in New York and enlisted in the 59th New York Infantry in December 1861. Richards began producing sketches after being injured in Antietam in September 1862. A sketchbook of Richards consisting of fifty-five drawings and dated to 1864 illustrates scenes of Washington, Alexandria, Baltimore, Annapolis, Mount Vernon and other views (see Swann Galleries, New York, 24 September 2002, lot 51)1. Another sketchbook by the artist dated 1865 is A comparison of the figures in the present painting and those seen in these sketches shows a similar rendering. The only known painting by Richards makes the present lot a unique work by the artist.

1 Also see the same sketchbook on the website of William Reese Company, available at https://www.williamreesecompany.com/pages/books/WRCAM58593/john-richards/sketchbook-of-fifty-five-original-mixed-media-illustrations-by-private-john-richards-a-union, accessed 20 December 2023.