The Providence Athenæum

This portrait of Zachary Taylor, the twelfth President of the United States, is the work of American portrait artist Charles A. Foster. Foster was a prominent mid-nineteenth century portrait artist who worked primarily in New York City, Boston, and Providence. His sitters included individuals involved with law, commerce, and politics, and he was well known for his reproduction of popular portraits and for his illustrations of animals.

Here, Taylor is depicted in his general’s uniform. His successful military career started early in the 19th century and lasted until the presidential election of 1848, which he won.

Henry T. Cornett, the Athenæum’s Treasurer at the time, donated the painting in 1865. Cornett was a lawyer active throughout New England and was very active in membership libraries. He donated art to private libraries and universities, including the Boston Athenaeum and Brown University.

Lancaster, Jane. Inquire Within: A Social History of the Providence Athenæum Since 1753. Providence, RI: Providence Athenæum, 2003, pp. 86, 88. 

Annual Report of the Directors of the Providence Athenæum to the Proprietors. Providence, Providence Athenæum, 1865.

Williams, Michael. “Zachary Taylor.” 2016. ARTH 401: Cataloguing Curiosity, Wheaton College, student paper.