Drawing probably after a book plate illustrating a scene from Book 21, "The Battle in the River Scamander," in the Iliad of Homer. Shows the female figure Juno in a diaphanous gown attracting the male figure Vulcan by placing her hand on his shoulder. Vulcan holds a torch in each hand over the near completely naked Achilles partially prone, arms outstretched, and next to the figure Xanthus. Xanthus (i.e., River Scamander) empties two cisterns of water that flow like a waterfall past a Trojan soldier partially emerged in a river of water. Scene also includes billows of smoke and darks clouds in the background., Title from item., Name of artist and date from manuscript note on verso: John Stephano Cogdell, Pinxit 12 April 1798., See Lib. Company Annual Report, 1991, p. 26-31., Gift of descendants Cordelia H. Brown, Lillie V. Dickerson, Mary Hinkson Jackson, and Georgine E. Willis in honor of Phil Lapsansky., RVCDC, Description revised 2022., Access points reviewed 2022., John Stevens (Stephano) Cogdell (1778-1847), brother of Richard W. Cogdell, born near Charleston, S.C. on September 19, 1778, was a lawyer by profession, as well as a painter and sculptor. Predominantly self-trained as an artist, Cogdell began his studies by creating watercolor copies of prints, and was later mentored by Boston artist Washington Allston. His works were exhibited at various institutions, including the National Academy of Design and Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. Through his legal background, he served as a member of the South Carolina House of Representatives, comptroller of South Carolina, and president of the Bank of South Carolina from 1832 to 1847. Cogdell's brother, Richard W. Cogdell (1787-1866), was the white patriarch of the middle-class, multiracial, African American Philadelphia family Stevens-Cogdell and Sanders-Venning.
Creator
Cogdell, John S. (John Stevens), 1778-1847, artist
Date
[April 12, 1798]
Location
Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department drawings & watercolors - C [P.2012.55]
