George A. Hearn

Artist: Irving Ramsey Wiles (American, 1861–1948)

Original Dimensions: 57" x 38 1/4"

Location: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

About Artwork: (1913–14) "The New York merchant George A. Hearn (1853–1913) was an important benefactor of The Metropolitan Museum of Art during the last twenty years of his life. After 1906, he established a fund for the purchase of paintings by living American artists and donated many American paintings as well. In 1911, he established a second fund for the purchase of American paintings in the memory of his son, Arthur Hoppock Hearn. On June 19, 1911, the Museum's trustees, in recognition of Hearn's generosity, asked him to sit for a portrait by an artist of his choosing. It was not until the spring of 1913, however, that Hearn contacted Wiles to paint the portrait. When Hearn died on December 1, 1913, the portrait was not yet finished. Apparently, Wiles ultimately had to work extensively from photographs to finish the portrait. On April 14, 1914, Wiles reported that the portrait would be finished "in a few days." The picture was approved by Hearn's family and accepted by the Museum on May 18." - (The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York)