Painting

Title:

John E. Lyon

Object Name:

Painting

Object ID:

1917.003

Creator:

Custer, Edward L. (1837-1881)Artist

Place of Origin:

Boston, MA

Date:

1876

Description:

Portrait of John E. Lyon (1809-1878), by Edward L. Custer (1837-1881), 1876. Oil on canvas. Half-length portrait facing slightly left; eyes toward viewer. Sitter is bald with white hair, white sideburns, and blue eyes. He is wearing a black coat and waistcoat, stiff white shirt with high collar, and a black cravat tied in a bow. Dark and light brown background. Signed with monogram in lower right: "Custer / 1876". Pencil inscription on frame: "John E. Lyon". Nameplate bottom center of frame: "John E. Lyon / E.L. Custer". Heavy gilt frame, all over cove pattern, beaded inner molding, plain rim.

Material:

Textile

Dimensions:

H-30 W-25 inches

Provenance:

John E. Lyon was a business man, merchant, and railroad executive. Born in Lancaster, MA, March 1, 1809. Clerk in store of Sewell Carter. Went to Boston, 1831. Became partner in firm of Jenness, Gage & Co., importers and jobbers of dry goods, 1839. Joined with J. Thomas Vose in firm of 1878. At one time owned sailing ships in Boston. The last 20 years of his life, built up railroad interests in New Hampshire. Was president and director of the Boston, Concord & Montreal Railroad, also director of Connecticut & Passumpsic and Concord Railroads. Interested in development of northern NH railroads, hotels, and general industries of state. Died in Plymouth, NH, April 11, 1878.
.

Credit Line:

Bequest of Benjamin H. Corning

People:

Lyon, John E. (1809-1878), Custer, Edward L. (1837-1881), Corning, Benjamin H. (1835-1916)

Subjects:

Railroad companies, Railroads, Merchants, Portrait paintings, Portraits