Territorial Governor George Porter

This painting of Territorial Governor George Porter is the oldest gubernatorial portrait in the collection. Though small, the bust is finely painted and serves as an excellent example of artist Jacob Eichholtz’ style. Porter sits at an angle, turning slightly to gaze out at the viewer. He is dressed in formal attire and wears a cravat popular in the 1830s. The background has been kept quite plain, aside from a bright red area directly behind the sitter. This places more of an emphasis on his face, highlighting Eichholtz’s attention to detail in Porter’s facial features. The white of his shirt, and the two portions of his collar that poke out from beneath his chin, help to direct the viewer’s eyes toward his face as well.

Eichholtz was a prolific artist, producing over 800 pieces during his 35-year career. Though he is not one of the most widely recognized names from the late 19th century, his work exemplifies the American portrait style of the time and can be found in many major American collections including the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the National Gallery of Art.