The Biographical Dictionary of America/Ames, Joseph

AMES, Joseph, artist, was born in Roxbury, N. H., July 16, 1816. During his boyhood and youth he painted portraits, gaining a local reputation, and later went to Boston, Mass., where he established a studio. He went abroad to pursue his studies, working principally in Rome, where he painted a portrait of Pius IX, which attracted considerable attention. Upon his return to America, he re-opened his studio in Boston, but went from there to Baltimore, and thence to New York city. He was elected a member of the National academy of design in 1870. Some of his most noteworthy pictures are: "Maud Muller," "Miranda," the "Old Stone Pitcher," "The Death of Daniel Webster," "Might;" and portraits of President Felton of Harvard, Ristori, Emerson, Rachel, Prescott, and Gazzaniga; his portraits of Ross Winans and a young lady of Baltimore were exhibited in 1872. He died Oct. 30, 1872.