Portrait of William L. Hirst, Oil on Canvas, framed

1876. Image size: 39-1/2" x 31-1/4"; Framed: 46" x 53. Image size: 39-1/2" x 31-1/4"; Framed: 46" x 53" A Notable Nineteenth-Century Philadelphia Lawyer and Democratic Politician [American School, 19th Century]. [Portrait of William L. Hirst]. Signed and dated "E.G. Kelly, 1913." Image size 39-1/2" x 31-1/4" (79.4 x 100.3 cm). Framed 46" x 53" (117 cm. x 135 cm.). Oil on canvas in ornate nineteenth-century gilded wood frame. Some minor nicks and chips to frame, gilding slightly dulled, otherwise fine. $2,500. * William L. Hirst [1804-1876] began his legal career as a Court of Common Pleas clerk before passing the bar in 1827. He had a thriving private law practice and was active in Democratic politics. In 1853, Hirst was elected President of the Democratic State Convention. He was an early proponent of the City of Philadelphia consolidation. Provenance: Presented by Anthony A. Hirst (his son), June 3, 1913. This portrait belonged to the Philadelphia Bar Association. In 1802 a group of 71 lawyers met and established the Law Library Company of the City of Philadelphia to share law books. The first location of the Law Library Company was a room in Independence Hall. Over the next two centuries, the Library grew in size and moved six times. The locations included the Athenaeum and Philadelphia City Hall. The name of the organization evolved to the Law Association of Philadelphia and ultimately, to the Philadelphia Bar Association. The Library of the Philadelphia Bar Association was renamed the Theodore F. Jenkins Memorial Law Library in 1967. Along with the purchase of legal books and manuscripts for the Law Library, portraits and sculptures were purchased and presented to honor and celebrate current and past figures of importance to the local and national legal community. The lawyers depicted in the portraits were often among Philadelphia's most famous citizens - rnowned orators, educators, community and legislative leaders, as well as highly successful litagators. Through the years, the Philadelphia Bar Association has treasured and conserved the collection. In 2018 when the Jenkins Law Library moved to smaller quarters, the Philadelphia Bar Association decided that it was time the collection's paintings and sculptures find new, respectful and responsible owners and this portrait along with many others were sold at public auction.