Governor Luce

Governor Cyrus Luce’s portrait is unique because it is the only one in the Capitol’s collection created with charcoal, rather than oil paint. The piece is drawn on paper over a photo base, mounted on canvas, and kept behind glass due to the more delicate nature of the media. Governor Luce stands with one hand behind his back and gazes out at the viewer with a calm expression. His face is drawn in a realistic fashion, with wrinkles visible around his eyes and mouth. An ornate overmantle, fireplace surround, and side table are positioned behind the governor, and a rich curtain hangs off to his right.

The choice to use charcoal on paper for this portrait is meaningful because it represents an interesting cultural shift that was happening at the time of its creation. Though photography was emerging as a new media and becoming more widespread, there was still a persistence for past tastes, like charcoal drawings. The amalgamation of photography and charcoal in this piece demonstrates both uncertainty and excitement for technological advancement in the art world.