Portrait of Cornelius Vanderbilt II

dated 1899

Oil on canvas “Portrait of Cornelius Vanderbilt II” (American, dated 1899) by Paris trained artist Benjamin C. Porter (American, 1845-1908). The subject, Cornelius Vanderbilt II (American, 1843-1899), is depicted seated at half-length wearing a dark suit and white ascot, Vanderbilt gazes directly at the viewer. His left hand grips his armchair and his right rests on a crimson draped table with papers, books, and an inkstand. The canvas is signed and dated by the artists on the lower left.

Executed posthumously, Cornelius Vanderbilt II died at the age of 55 after suffering a cerebral hemorrhage.

American

oil on canvas

49" x 40"

Gift of Mrs. Cornelius Vanderbilt Whitney, 1993.

PSNC.9894