In honor of the 185th anniversary of the birth of architect Henry Hobson Richardson (born September 29, 1838 in Louisiana), we present this portrait by Hubert von Herkomer, completed in 1886, shortly before Richardson’s passing. The two men had a gentleman’s agreement whereby Richardson would design a country house for Herkomer in England, in exchange for the portrait. Known as Lululand, the house was the only building Richardson designed outside the United States. (It was largely demolished in 1939).
The Glessners asked Richardson’s widow for a photographic copy of this portrait, which they always had on display in the main hall of their home. It remains in the same location to this day.
Credit: National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution