TitleSanford Robinson Gifford
Artist
Vincent Colyer
(American, 1825 - 1888)
Date1851
MediumOil on canvas
DimensionsUnframed: 30 × 25 in.
SubmissionANA diploma presentation
Credit LineNational Academy of Design, New York, NY
Object number260-P
Label TextThe landscape in the background of this portrait is a painting-within-a-painting, and certainly an allusion to Gifford's subject specialty. It is, however, a landscape painted by Colyer. Whether it is of his own invention, a reproduction of a specific Gifford work, or an attempt by Colyer to synopsize Gifford's style is not known.The portrait of Gifford that Colyer exhibited in the Academy annual exhibition of 1851 may reasonably be assumed to be this painting, even though, contrary to custom, the exhibition catalogue did not note that the Academy owned it. Gifford's year to qualify had not yet run out when the exhibition opened on April 8, 1851. Formal acceptance of the portrait as his diploma presentation is not recorded in Academy minutes. However, it is likely that it occurred-as was also customary-in a hasty Council meeting, often held just before the annual meeting, in order to confirm the previous year's electees moments before their twelve-month grace period expired. Gifford's portrait by Colyer was included, identified as a diploma work, in the inventory of Academy property made in 1852.
n.d.
