Depicted William C. Prime (American, 1825 – 1905)

William Cowper Prime (1825-1905)

1857

Oil on canvas

Unframed: 36 × 29 1/8 in. (91.4 × 74 cm)
Framed: 48 × 40 1/2 × 3 3/4 in. (121.9 × 102.9 × 9.5 cm)

Gift of Benjamin L. Prime

1953.188

After graduating from Princeton University in 1843, the subject studied law, was admitted to the bar, and practiced in New York. He would distinguish himself not only as a lawyer, but as a journalist, author, art historian, and Near East enthusiast as well. In this portrait, a gift to the Society from his great-grandson, he appears in Arab costume with ruins of Egyptian temples in the background.

Markingssignature and date: lower right: "F. Schlegel / 1857" inscription: on back: "Braheem Effendi / F. Schlegel Pinxit 1857 for W. C. Prime"

ClassificationsPAINTINGS