Governor Pingree

In this portrait of Governor Hazen Pingree, artist Percy Ives employs a classical style with tight, refined brushstrokes. This is clear in the governor’s face, which is painted naturalistically and shows less evidence of the artist than many of Percy’s artworks. This traditional approach to portraiture hints at the influence of Percy’s father, Lewis Ives, with whom he trained early in his career. Despite this influence, areas on the governor’s hands and suit demonstrate the layering of paint that would become more characteristic of Percy’s later work, though the brushstrokes here are less expressive than those in other pieces by the artist.

Pingree stands in a comfortable pose here, with a book under his right hand and his left hand resting at his pocket. He looks forward, but not directly at the viewer, and he appears almost lost in thought. The inclusion of an ornate overmantle and deep red curtain behind the governor contribute to the classical feel of the piece, as does the stone pillar peeking out from behind the curtain. The contrast and the shadowing seen throughout the painting, particularly to create folds in fabrics like the curtain or Pingree’s pant legs, are done in a mature, refined fashion. Percy’s artistry throughout this portrait makes it one of the finest in the collection.