Born in Dresden, Germany, in 1798, Ferdinand Pettrich learned the rudiments of carving from his father, the court sculptor to the King of Saxony. He perfected his skills in Rome, under Bertel Thorwaldsen, the famed Danish-born sculptor. In 1835 Pettrich and his wife sailed for the United States, settling first in Philadelphia, then in Washington, where he executed likenesses of famous Americans. Pettrich evidently met president Jackson in 1836. According to James G. Barber, Jackson may have granted Pettrich several sittings. For more information on this artist or the Southern masterworks in our collection, please visit our gallery website.

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