Figure 2. — Alvan Clark. 



the age of seventeen Alvan began working with his older brother 

 Barnabus in a wagon maker's shop. 



During this time Alvan visited Hartford and there had his first ex- 

 posure to art ; he was so inspired by the experience that he quit the shop 

 and began to learn drawing and engraving. Two years later he felt 

 proficient enough to carry a portfolio of his work to Boston, where he 

 spent the winter of 1824. The following summer he returned to Ashfield 

 and traveled through the Connecticut Valley, painting small portraits 

 in ink and watercolor. It is more than likelv that he met there several 



