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2023.100.1, Portrait
Portrait of Major General Alexander Finley Whitaker (1811-1886)
2023.100.1, Portrait

Portrait of Major General Alexander Finley Whitaker (1811-1886)

Dateca. 1835
Possibly by John Bradley (fl. 1827 - 1847)
OriginAmerica, New York, Yates
MediumOil on mattress ticking
DimensionsOverall: 39 × 32 3/4in. (99.1 × 83.2cm)
Credit LineMuseum Purchase, Hank and Dixie Wolf in honor of Margaret Beck Pritchard and Laura Pass Barry
Object number2023.100.1
DescriptionPortrait of a man in military uniform. The two stars on the epaulettes indicate that he is a Major General. The man is shown standing in front of a column and red drape beyond which is depicted a series of tents underneath a flag. Several soldiers are also shown in the background marching in formation. His uniform consists of a blue jacket with buff collar, sleeve cuff, and pants. He is holding a sword in his proper left hand and in his right he holds his hat.
Label TextWhile the United States was not involved in any active military conflict during the second quarter of the 19th century, the 59th Regiment of the New York State militia that Major General Alexander Whitaker oversaw kept busy with meetings, parades, drills and even an annual encampment, an example of which is pictured in the background of this portrait. The painting descended through the Whitaker family along with the military accoutrements worn by Major General Whitaker in his portrait including epaulettes, cockade and eagle-head pommel sword.

The portrait was possibly painted by John Bradley, a British-born painter who was working in New York in the 1830s and 40s. Bradley advertised his skills as a portrait painter in the New York City directories from 1836 to 1847 but portraits like this one from outside of the city suggest Bradley was also traveling throughout the region to gain commissions.

ProvenanceFrom the sitter, Major General Alexander Finley Whitaker (1811-1886,) to his son, Melville Torrance Whitaker (1851-1940), to his daughter, Agnes Whitaker Martin (1889-1962), to her son Melville Whitaker Martin (1916-1998) who bequethed the portrait to the Filoi Historic House & Garden in Woodside, California. The portrait was then sold at Sotheby's in January of 2023