Shobal Vail Clevenger Paintings

Shobal Vail Clevenger was an American sculptor born on November 22, 1812, in Middletown Township, New Jersey. He was a significant figure in American art during the early 19th century, known for his portrait busts that captured the likenesses of prominent figures of his time. Clevenger's life was relatively short, as he died at the age of 30 on September 24, 1843, in St. Louis, Missouri due to cholera. Despite his brief career, he left a lasting impact on American sculpture.

Clevenger showed an early interest in the arts, and without any formal training, he began carving figures from stone. His natural talent was evident, and he quickly gained recognition for his work. In the early 1830s, he moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, which was a burgeoning center for the arts in the United States. There, he continued to develop his skills and began receiving commissions for portrait busts.

Some of his notable works include busts of figures such as the sixth U.S. President John Quincy Adams and the statesman Henry Clay. These works were celebrated for their lifelike representation and detail. Clevenger's approach to sculpture was influenced by neoclassicism, which was prevalent in Europe and had begun to take root in the United States as well.

Unfortunately, Clevenger's career was cut short when he traveled to St. Louis in 1843. During this period, cholera was rampant, and it claimed Clevenger's life. He was interred at Bellefontaine Cemetery in St. Louis. His untimely death meant that Clevenger's body of work was limited, but he is still remembered as a talented sculptor who made a significant contribution to the American neoclassical tradition in art.