Alvan Fisher, an American artist, born in Needham. Mass., Aug. 0, 1792, died in Dcd-ham, Mass., Feb. in, 1863. He began the study of painting at the age of 18, with an ornamental painter of merit named Pennyman. In 1814 he commenced his professional career as a portrait painter, and soon after undertook barnyard scenes, winter pieces, portraits of animals, and in general scenes belonging to rural life in which cattle are prominently introduced. He subsequently returned to portrait painting, which ho practised for many years in Boston.