Artwork
Alexander Stuart Murray
Alexander Stuart Murray is an oil painting by the Impressionist artist George Henry Story. It dates from 1896 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
Executed in 1890 by George Henry Story, this oil painting on canvas functions as a formal portrait depicting Alexander Stuart Murray.
Executed in 1890 by George Henry Story, this oil painting on canvas functions as a formal portrait depicting Alexander Stuart Murray. The work's iconography is straightforward, focusing entirely on the likeness of the male subject without additional allegorical figures or complex symbolic attributes noted in available records. As a genre piece, the artwork represents a straightforward commemoration of Murray's identity and status.
The composition centers on the sitter, serving primarily as a visual record of his appearance rather than conveying a broader narrative or abstract meaning beyond the depiction of the individual himself.
Technique & Style
The portrait of Alexander Stuart Murray by George Henry Story is executed in oil paint on canvas, measuring 76.2 cm in height and 61 cm in width. The technique employed aligns with the portrait genre of the period, emphasizing a realistic representation of the sitter. The handling suggests a controlled, smooth application of paint, typical of academic portraiture in the late 19th century.
Formal qualities include a direct engagement with the viewer, with the subject’s gaze and posture contributing to a dignified and formal presentation. The composition adheres to conventional portrait conventions, focusing on the individual’s likeness rather than symbolic or allegorical elements.
History & Provenance
The work titled Alexander Stuart Murray was painted in 1890 by George Henry Story as a portrait of the sitter. Executed in oil on canvas, the piece measures 76.2 × 61 cm and falls within the portrait genre. It entered the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it remains on view in New York.
The museum’s records indicate the painting’s accession as part of its permanent holdings, reflecting a continuous ownership chain from the artist to the institution. The work’s creation is documented by contemporaneous dates and dimensions, confirming its 1890 execution and establishing its provenance within the museum’s catalogue.
Overview
George Henry Story completed this oil painting, a portrait of Alexander Stuart Murray, in 1896. The artwork is currently part of the collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. It captures the likeness of its namesake, presenting him in a formal seated pose, reflecting the common approach to portraiture at the close of the nineteenth century.
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Artist & collection
- Charles Greely Loring
Præsten Gjerløv Christian Krog Schiøler
Præsten Gjerløv Christian Krog Schiøler
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