Residence of Christopher Sower watercolor, 1889
Permanent ID:
3454Call number:
K: 5-12Date:
1889Image Description:
Working from a print, David J. Kennedy (1783-1874) painted this image in 1899. Christopher Sower (born Johan Christoph Sauer, 1695-1758) immigrated from Germany in 1724. He set up a printing shop in Germantown, where he produced the nation's first German-language Bible in 1742 as well as its first German newspaper. Kennedy, himself an immigrant from Scotland, earned his living as a clerk of the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad. As a youngster, he taught himself to paint and draw, and as an adult pursued his art in his spare time. Kennedy captured the rapidly changing landscape of Philadelphia and although an amateur, achieved recognition during his lifetime through commissions and exhibitions.Inscription:
Residence of Christopher Sower, First and Second. Erected 1731: on premises now 4645 to 4653 Germantown Avenue. The Printing Establishment, Bindery, etc., occupied the building in the rear. Here the first edition of the Bible in German was printed by Mr. C. Sower in 1743. D.J. Kennedy from a print.Address:
4645-4653 Germantown Ave, PhiladelphiaFormat:
WatercolorsCollection:
David J. Kennedy watercolorsRelated People or Organizations:
David Johnson Kennedy, 1816-1898 (artist)Christoph Sauer, 1693-1758 (relates to)