Portrait of Reverend Eli Forbes (1726-1804)

Details

Descriptive Terms

portraits
paintings (visual works)
oil paint (paint)
canvas
Picture
Portrait
Portrait

Label

In Cherished Possessions, 2003-2005: This portrait shows the minister in his pulpit with his notes for the sermon spread out on the Bible before him. During the bitterly divisive years leading up to the American Revolution, Forbes served as minister in the town of Brookfield, Massachusetts. He tried to maintain political neutrality, to no avail; a mob threw stones at him and his wife, and finally the parish dismissed him. The couple fled to their daughter's home in Gloucester, Massachusetts, where within a year, he became minister of the First Church. There he remained, a respected citizen until his death in 1804.

Inscription

1) Handwritten in pencil on frame reverse: ""painted by Guliger"". 2) Handwritten on label on back of stretcher and frame: ""Rev. Eli Forbes. This picture was painted by an Italian artist - Guilegaire, four years previous to Dr. Forbes' death which occured in 1804. He was born 1726 at Westboro - son of Jonathan Forbes.""

Associated Person

Forbes, Eli, 1726-1804

Associated Building

Original to Cogswell's Grant (Essex, Mass.),

Maker

Gullagher, Christian, 1759-1826 (Maker)

Location of Origin

MA, USA

Dimensions

45 3/4 x 40 1/8 (HxW) (inches)

Credit Line

Gift of Bertram K. and Nina Fletcher Little

Accession Number

1991.686

Places

Massachusetts (United States)
Gloucester (Essex county, Massachusetts)