Unknown artist, Portrait of a Bishop

Available for “Adoption” through the Adopt an Artwork Program

This artwork, an oil on canvas by an unknown artist from the late 16th to early 17th century, has an unusual history: it was given to Union College by Margaret Hale Bushnell, granddaughter of Edward Everett Hale Jr. The painting belonged to her grandmother, Annie Dunbar Potts Perkins (“Mrs. Perkins” of Mrs. Perkins’ Garden), and it hung in the Hale apartment in South Colonnade (now part of Hale House). On New Year’s Day, 1910, a fire destroyed the Hale’s apartment, but this painting was saved by the donor’s father, Maurice Perkins Hale (Union College Class of 1918). 

Over time, and due to being hung in locations with frequent fluctuations of temperature and humidity, the painting has accumulated what appears to be bloom (a milky haze caused by moisture build up within layers of paint or varnish) over the black painted areas throughout the majority of the painting, and it is coated in a thick varnish that has yellowed and obscures the details of the paint layers below. In addition, the painting appears to have accumulated some mold that has settled in tiny cracks in the surface. This means that the painting requires extensive cleaning and removal of old layers of varnish and previous retouching. The ornate, 19th century frame that it currently rests in is also in need of cleaning and refitting to the canvas. The total treatment will amount to approximately $12,000.