Henry Edwards Huntington

Maker Oswald Hornby Joseph Birley (British, 1880-1952)

SitterSitter: Henry Edwards Huntington (American, 1850 - 1927)

ClassificationsPAINTINGS

Date1924

Mediumoil on canvas

Dimensionscanvas: 50 × 40 in. (127 × 101.6 cm.) frame: 62 1/2 × 52 3/8 × 6 7/8 in. (158.8 × 133 × 17.5 cm.)

DescriptionThis is a three-quarter portrait of Henry E. Huntington, American railroad magnate and collector of art and rare books.

SignedSignature; Date

Credit LineThe Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens

Status

On view

Label TextWith his wife, Arabella, Henry Huntington built this grand mansion, filled with art, and planned to have it open to the public at his death. He engaged Birley to paint his portrait and that of his wife (on display opposite) so as to be able to represent them in their planned institution. Henry is portrayed as politely welcoming, but with subtle undertones of impatience: with spine erect, hands clenched in readiness, knees spread in anticipation of standing. Although similar in their somber tone and loose brushwork, each portrait reveals its sitter's distinct personality.

Bibliography

Excursions of Imagination

British paintings at the Huntington

Object number24.13