Painting
- Title:
- John G. Walker
- Object Name:
- Painting
- Object ID:
- 1941.011
- Creator:
- Unknown
- Date:
- circa 1900
- Description:
- Portrait of Admiral John Grimes Walker (1835-1907), artist unknown, c. 1900. Oil on canvas. Half-length portrait of a man facing left. Sitter has center-parted gray hair, long gray sideburns and moustache; brown eyes. He is wearing a military uniform: gold epaulets with two stars, blue double-breasted coat with brass buttons, four medals pinned to chest, brass belt with circular buckle, and gold cuff with single gold star. Sitter's left arm is bent. Dramatic red drape with gray and green background. Stamped inscription on all four members of stretcher: "BAY STATE STRETCHER / -MADE BY- / WADSWORTH / HOWLAND & Co. 32". NHHS label lower right corner of stretcher reverse. Gilded gesso over wood frame, exterior shell and scroll carving with c-scrolls and flowers; small areas of beaded trim; plain flat cove; raised interior molding.
- Material:
- Textile
Canvas - Dimensions:
- H-38 W-32 inches
- Provenance:
- Portrait is of the donor's father.
John Grimes Walker (1835-1907) was born March 20, 1835, in Hillsborough, NH. Lived with his uncle, Gov. James W. Grimes of Iowa, after his mother's death in 1846. Appointed midshipman 1850. Attended Naval Academy for a year, 1856, graduated head of class. In Civil War, was 1st Lieutenant of steamer Winona, 1861; Lieutenant Commander of Baron De Kalb, of Adm. Porter's Mississippi Squadron; promoted to commander 1866; was secretary of lighthouse board, 1873-78; chief of Bureau of Navigation, 1881-89; recognized as the most influential officer in the navy. In 1889, made Commodore and given command of Squadron of Evolution. Retired in 1897, but appointed to Nicaragua Canal Commission, later Panama Canal; was head of commission until 1905. Lived in Washington, DC, until his death, Sept. 15, 1907. - Credit Line:
- Gift of Susan Walker Fitzgerald
- Subjects:
- Naval personnel, Portrait paintings, Portraits
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