ORIGINAL 1860 Famous American Artist Henry Peters Gray (1819-1877) antique oil on canvas, portrait

Up for sale is an exceptional original antique oil painting on canvas by the renowned American artist Henry Peters Gray (1819–1877), depicting a distinguished portrait of W.P. Wright Esq.. The sitter is presented in three-quarter view, wearing a dark formal jacket, crisp white shirt, and vest, with a rich red drapery accent at his side. His full beard and confident gaze evoke the dignified character and status of mid-19th century American portraiture.

On the verso, a commemorative inscription reads:
“For W.P. Wright Esq. Portrait from Henry Peters Gray. Painted at Pittsfield, MA, August 1860.”

Gray’s masterful handling of light and texture is evident in the lifelike rendering of the sitter’s face, the soft gradation of background tones, and the precise detailing of hair and garments. The painting remains a superb example of his refined portrait style.

📜 Artist Biography — Henry Peters Gray (1819–1877)

Henry Peters Gray was born in New York City in 1819. He was a pupil of Daniel Huntington in New York and later pursued advanced artistic studies in Rome and Florence, where he absorbed the influence of the Italian Renaissance masters.

Gray was elected a member of the National Academy of Design in 1842, and in 1870 he succeeded his former teacher, Huntington, as President of the Academy — a position he held until 1871.

In the earlier part of his career, Gray painted historical, allegorical, and classical subjects, heavily influenced by the old Italian masters. His palette often embraced warm, golden tones, lending a timeless quality to his work. Among his notable pieces is the allegorical composition "The Birth of Our Flag" (1875).

In the later years of his life, Gray dedicated himself primarily to portraiture, producing refined likenesses of prominent figures of his time. His works are admired for their combination of realism, compositional grace, and classical influence.

His paintings are part of the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, cementing his place in the canon of 19th-century American art.

Henry Peters Gray died in 1877, leaving behind a legacy of portraits and historical works that bridge American realism and classical tradition.

Condition:
Good antique condition. Minor expected age-related surface wear. Please see photos as they are part of the description.

Frame:
Presented in a period gilded frame with beaded inner border. The frame shows minor wear consistent with age.

Dimensions:

• Framed: 35" x 30"

• Canvas: 30" x 25"

📦 Insured shipping provided
💬 Questions welcome before purchase

Please note: Actual colors may vary slightly due to lighting, screen settings, and camera differences. All items in our gallery are antique or vintage and may show signs of age such as patina, craquelure, scuffs, or surface wear. Please review all photographs carefully before purchase.