Thomas B. Clarke, a lace and linen manufacturer in New York, began buying works of art in 1872. Within a decade he became this country's foremost collector of contemporary American art. Clarke was influential in myriad aspects of the New York art world, for he was treasurer of the National Society of Arts, chair of the Union League Club's art...

Description: Interior of a glass engraver's workshop with the engraver busy at work, his back turned toward the viewer as he etches a piece of stemmed glassware. He faces a bright window, through which one can see the building next door. The window also sheds light on the work table, the collection of finished glassware on the left, and the tools...