Object Record
Images
Metadata
Catalog Number |
58.P.30 |
Object Name |
Painting |
Title |
Portrait of J. Peter Lesley |
Artist |
Bush-Brown, Margaret Lesley |
Date |
1894-95 |
Description |
Three-quarter length portrait of a seated figure turned slightly to his left with his head facing forward. Figure wears a light colored suit, striped vest, white shirt, and a black bow tie. He is seated in wooden chair with upholstered arms with a low stone wall visible behind the chair on the right and trees in the background. Signed "M. Lesley Bush-Brown" on lower left corner. |
Label |
J. Peter Lesley, elected to the APS in 1856, served as the Society's Librarian, Secretary, and Vice-President over a 30-year period. A Philadelphia-born geologist and topographer, he was the director of the Second Geological Survey of Pennsylvania, which began in 1874 and continued until 1889. This portrait was painted by Margaret Lesley Bush-Brown, a Philadelphia portrait painter, alumna of the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, and the daughter of J. Peter Lesley. She also painted the portrait of Frederick Fraley (58.P.57), which was given to the APS at the same time as this work. The APS library holds the papers of J. Peter Lesley. |
Medium |
Oil on canvas |
Dimensions |
H-47.375 W-37.5 inches |
Dimension Details |
Framed |
Credit line |
American Philosophical Society. Gift of members and friends, 20 May 1898. |
Search Terms |
19th century nineteenth century painting scientist geology women |