De Witt Clinton Hay
American (1819-1877)
Born in Saratoga, New York in 1819, De Witt Clinton Hay was a successful banknote engraver and artist. The skill and draftsmanship required in banknote engraving also carried over to and enhanced HayÃs beautiful, finely rendered and luminous miniature watercolors. Hay lived in Saratoga Springs and later in Tarrytown, New York, and commonly painted the surrounding area, including Lake George. He also traveled extensively, rendering views of the European continent and beyond. Among the places he visited and recorded in his watercolor sketchbooks were countries such as Switzerland, Egypt, France, Italy, Greece, Germany, and Antarctica. According to the Smithsonian Institute records, HayÃs works are part of several public museum collections.