Governor Chase Osborn
(1911-1913)

1931
Painted by Robert Grafton
Oil on Canvas

Though the setting for this portrait of Governor Chase Osborn is simple, the rendering of the governor’s face and figure is finely done and highly detailed. Osborn stands with one hand behind his back, angled diagonally away from the viewer. His shoulders are pulled back and his chin is up, giving Osborn the look of a confident, strong leader. The governor does not gaze at the viewer, but instead looks into the distance, as if pondering something important. He holds a roll of paper in his left hand, which may be government documents but could also be a newspaper, nodding to his journalism career.

Artist Robert Grafton employs short, visible brushstrokes and layers several shades of paint to achieve a naturalistic portrayal of Osborn. Though he leaves his brushstrokes unblended and allows the viewer to see his hand, Grafton retains a high level of control in this piece. Rather than depicting the governor’s entire figure, Grafton instead paints the man at half-length and allows him to take up the majority of the canvas. Grafton keeps the background simple, with just a desk and a few books pictured. From the shoulders up, Osborn is surrounded completely by black paint. These choices all aid in directing the viewer’s attention to the figure, particularly to his face, making the sitter’s identity and personality the key focus of the piece.

Location: Floor 2, North Wing, NE Caucus Room (not on public view)