Governor Henry H. Crapo

This portrait of Governor Henry Crapo, which once hung in the Governor’s Parlor, is painted in a traditional style. Crapo sits in a relaxed pose, even slouching slightly. His face is painted naturalistically, and the lines around his eyes soften his gaze as he looks out at the viewer. Though Crapo’s black suit and seated position make the lines of his form challenging to distinguish, the clothing provides an excellent backdrop for the governor’s hands, which are finely rendered. The white document in his left hand, along with the papers on the table beside him and the white of his shirt, help to direct the viewer’s eye to the governor’s face.

The chair on which Crapo sits is painted in detail, and the lion’s head on its arm suggests that it is of the Renaissance Revival style. The table beside him and the cabinet behind it are less thoroughly fleshed out. Though Crapo is painted with tight brushstrokes that are not visible, these furniture pieces are created with looser, visible brushstrokes that are slightly at odds with the more traditional style used in the governor’s figure.