Mourning Medal for Col. Elmer E. Ellsworth

From a young age, William Sidney Mount was surrounded by music. As a boy, he lived with his uncle, a musician and composer of considerable talent and reputation, who taught him to play the violin, and the artist passionately pursued his playing throughout his life. In 1824, Mount began his artistic career as an ornament painter in his brother’s New York City sign shop. He eventually became an active member and regular exhibitor at the recently founded National Academy of Design...