Governor Alexander Groesbeck
(1921-1927)

c. 1927
Painted by Albert K. Murray
Oil on Canvas

This portrait of Governor Alexander J. Groesbeck is highly naturalistic and finely painted. Artist Albert Murray paints in a more traditional style, leaving few visible brushstrokes behind. Groesbeck stands with his hands in his pockets and looks directly at the viewer. His expression is soft, rendering his eye contact less intimidating. Despite the governor’s relaxed pose, the portrait retains an air of formality.  His dark blue, three-piece suit is finely pressed, and across his stomach the chain of a pocket watch is visible. The loosest brushstrokes appear to be in the man’s tie, which adds a hint of excitement to his formal outfit.

The background of the piece has been kept simple, with just the frames of two artworks hanging behind the governor. The lack of detail in Groesbeck’s surroundings helps to focus the viewer’s attention on the sitter and leaves more room for communicating the governor’s identity and personality. Given the similar colors of this portrait’s frame and the two frames in the background, an illusion is created that makes it feel as if Groesbeck is standing in a gallery looking out at the viewer, who is instead framed. Whether intended by Murray or not, this creates an unexpected dialogue between the sitter and the viewer, playing with the traditional power dynamics between the two.