Object Record
Images
Metadata
Catalog Number |
58.P.4 |
Object Name |
Painting |
Title |
Portrait of John Lawrence Le Conte |
Artist |
Ulke, Henry |
Date |
ca. 1857 |
Description |
Half-length seated figure, shown in profile against a tan and brown background. Subject has short black hair with a thick black mustache, short beard, and dark brown eyes. The sitter wears a black suit and waistcoat, a white shirt, a maroon tie run through a gold and red cameo ring, and a gold watch chain. Signed: "H. Ulke" in lower right corner of the portrait. |
Label |
John Lawrence LeConte, a physician and entomologist, was elected to the APS in 1853, later serving as secretary and vice-president. A founder of the American Entomological Society, LeConte was a pioneer in studying and classifying North American insects, particularly the order of Coleoptera (beetles). He was also a medical inspector during the Civil War, the chief clerk of the U.S. Mint, and president of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. LeConte and Henry Ulke, the artist of this portrait, shared an interest in entomology. Ulke, who had a large collection of American beetles, wrote to LeConte in 1857 to schedule a visit for painting this portrait. |
Medium |
Oil on canvas |
Dimensions |
H-38.25 W-32.5 inches |
Dimension Details |
Framed |
Credit line |
American Philosophical Society. Gift of Mrs. John Lawrence LeConte, 1895. |
Search Terms |
19th century nineteenth century painting physician scientist entomology |