CHRISTIAN WILHELM ROST - Fine Line Artist

by Jonathan Dobin.

Christian Wilhelm Rost, esteemed engraver and etcher, was born in Lahr German in 1826. He was the son of Johann Gottleib Rost (17?? - 1860) an accomplished painter from Erfurt, Germany.

Christian studied in Paris and in London and quickly gained recognition for his fine line drawings and engravings upon wood and metal plates. In 1850 he was commissioned to illustrate exhibits at the London World's Fair of 1850. He emigrated to New York in 1855 with his wife (and first cousin) Minna (Anna) M. Rost, an accomplished and highly esteemed artist and entrepreneur in her own right (having perfected the art of deep- layered, gold embroidery for military insignia. She was the first person in the U.S. to create a market for, establish and thrive in this work from her 13th Street studio and workshop).

By 1860, Christian was sought for his line portraits and subject plates. He was employed by George E. Perrine in 1865 and subsequently by the National Bank Note Company, from 1868 through 1878. According to his grand daughter-in-law, Mildred, he was only one of two artists deemed capable of doing the exacting, high-caliber work needed for governmental note and stamp illustration. Two stamps have been positively attributed to him: the Pony Express rider of the 1869 2-cent (derived from the seal of the Post Office Department) and the Locomotive on the 1869 3-cent, derived from the $1.00 banknote of the Northwestern Bank of Warren, PA (also issued by National Bank Note Company). After the "Consolidation" of 1878 of the National, Continental and 7 other bank note companies, he engraved for the American Bank Note Company until declining eyesight compelled him to take up copper plate etching. One of his finest and final engravings was of the United States Capitol Building, done while infirmed.

During his time, Christian Rost was known for his wonderful landscape engravings and etchings as well. This author has seen one landscape created in his last year - still possessing a fine, steady hand and exemplary technique and composition. His works were signed "C. Rost."

Christian was the second in line of four generations of fine line artists. His son, Ernest Christian Rost (1867 - 1940), was one of the most prolific and circulated landscape etchers of the late 19th early 20th century. Ernest later became our War Department's first civilian reporter/ photographer charged to report and document on military installations and activities in Cuba, the Philippines, Guam, Panama and South America (see Biography Ernest C. Rost - AskArt.com). In addition, Ernest's son, Miles Ernest Rost (1890 - 1961) was an accomplished line artist (inks) and painter in California. Christian Rost died in New York on April 10, 1896 in New York at the age of 73, being buried in the Old St. Paul's church Mt. Vernon, New York along side his wife Minna, who died in 1903.

©2003, 2004 by Jonathan Dobin.