Detailed 9.5 x 12.25 etching of Albert Einstein in a seated, three-quarter pose, signed toward the bottom of the image in fountain pen, "Albert Einstein," and in the lower border in pencil by the artist, "Samuel Cahan." The etching also carries Cahan's facsimile signature inherent to the print: "Samuel Cahan, Fine Hall, Princeton, N.J." Matted to an overall size of 15.75 x 19.75. In fine condition, with some fading to Einstein's signature.
Samuel Cahan (1886–1974) was an American painter and illustrator, born in Kovno, who grew up as the child of Russian immigrants in modest circumstances in New York. Cahan studied at the Art Students League in New York, among others, with Charles William Frederick Mielatz and Robert Henri. His oeuvre predominantly consists of drawings and etchings. In addition to illustrations of street and courtroom scenes, Cahan created several portraits of famous personalities, including Presidents Roosevelt and Wilson.
In 1935, Einstein invited Cahan to Princeton to create his portrait. The physicist kept an office in Fine Hall, the home of Princeton's Department of Mathematics, from 1933 to 1939, before the Institute for Advanced Study moved to its own dedicated buildings.
The encounter in Princeton is described by the painter's son, William George Cahan, in his autobiography No Stranger to Tears. The invitation from Einstein was a great honor for Cahan. William Cahan reports that his father took a long time to find the right position and lighting conditions. Einstein reportedly offered to sit on the floor if necessary, which greatly impressed the painter.
During the encounter, Cahan only made a drawing of Einstein. It shows Einstein in profile sitting in an armchair. In his right hand, the scientist holds a pen, while his left rests on the armrest. The sketch is signed by Einstein, as well as by Cahan, who further notes: 'Fine Hall Princeton N. J.'
William Cahan remembers that the drawing and the letter from Einstein inviting him to the portrait session hung together in the library of his parents' house. The current whereabouts of the study are unclear. It served as a template for some drypoint etchings, which were signed by Einstein.
The artist describes in an interview from 1967 how he proceeded. First, he enlarged the study he had made of Einstein. He also added some elements from his memory, such as the specific lighting situation on his face. He then transferred this first with charcoal and then with a fine needle onto the copper plate (reference: oral history interview with Samuel George Cahan, March 11 and July 12, 1967, Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution).
This item is Pre-Certified by PSA/DNA
Buy a third-party letter of authenticity for
$150.00
*This item has been pre-certified by a trusted third-party authentication service, and by placing a bid on this item, you agree to accept the opinion of this authentication service. If you wish to have an opinion rendered by a different authenticator of your choosing, you must do so prior to your placing of any bid. RR Auction is not responsible for differing opinions submitted 30 days after the date of the sale.
