Stephen Salisbury III
Artist
Frederic Porter Vinton
(American, 1846–1911)
Date1891
Mediumoil on canvas
Dimensionscanvas: 127.3 x 101.9 cm (50 1/8 x 40 1/8 in.)
ClassificationsPaintings
Credit LineBequest of Stephen Salisbury III
Object number1907.31
Label TextOne of Worcester's wealthiest and most generous philanthropists, Stephen Salisbury III (1835–1905) was the principal founder of the Worcester Art Museum. In 1896 he donated the and $100,000 for the first museum building. In 1905 his generous bequest provided for the development of the collections and the eventual expansion of the building.
A graduate of Harvard College in 1856 and Harvard Law School in 1881, Stephen had wide-ranging interests. He not only served on the boards of numerous charitable and educational organizations but also helped to support them financially. He was particularly devoted to the American Antiquarian Society of which he was president from 1887 to his death. Following graduation from Harvard, he developed a keen interest in Central American archaeology and he published several articles on the subject.
Like his father and grandfather, Salisbury sat to one of Boston's leading portraitists. Along with John Singer Sargent, Frederick Porter Vincent painted many of Boston's "upper crust" in the late nineteenth century. However, Sargent specialized in daring portraits of women while Vinton was known for his dark dramatic likenesses of men.
This portrait reflects Vinton's eclectic study of Europe during the 1870s; the dark palette and broad brushwork are reminiscent of the style popular in Munich at the time, and the subtle, dark color harmonics and highlights in the collar, cuffs, and books reflect Vinton's admiration and study of Manet and Velazquez.ProvenanceStephen Salisbury III, Worcester MAOn View
Not on view
