Joseph Wright

American artist Joseph Wright, studied in London under his mother, wax sculptor Patience Wright, and painter Benjamin West. After returning to the US in 1782 he painted portraits of some of America’s most prominent figures. Wright’s portrait of John Jay—donated to New-York Historical by John Pintard in 1817—is one example. He practiced portraiture in New York City from 1786 to 1790 and took up medallic engraving following his move to Philadelphia in 1790. He quickly earned important commissions, including one from Thomas Jefferson to design a Congressional medal of honor awarded to Henry Lee for meritorious conduct in the Revolution.

Wright designed a quarter dollar pattern in 1792 under the direction of David Rittenhouse, the first director of the US Mint. His work as an engraver and die-sinker for the Mint was short-lived, however, as he died in the Yellow Fever epidemic that swept through Philadelphia in 1793.