U.S. Senator Julius C. Burrows
(1895-1911)

c. 1910
Painted by Percy Ives
Oil on Canvas

Julius Caesar Burrows served as a U.S. Representative three times between 1873 and 1895, when he became a U.S. Senator. In this portrait, artist Percy Ives paints Burrows in a confident stance, stepping forward slightly and looking directly at the viewer. The man’s face, while realistic, is also idealized. The visible brushstrokes that make up his figure, particularly his hair and clothing, are typical of Ives. These are most prevalent in Burrows’ left arm and shoulder, where the layered brushstrokes and shadows create an almost graphic look. The background also shows clear evidence of the artist’s hand, specifically in the red curtain that falls behind Burrows on the left side of the scene. The landscape to the right, while typical of the period, is left hazy and unrefined. This contrasts with the furniture directly behind Burrows, which is painted with tighter brushstrokes and has a more finished look. Small details, like the bunched-up area of carpet in front of the man’s right foot or the piece of paper sliding off the desk beside him, add a sense of immediacy to the portrait while also slightly toning down its formality.