Description: Man dressed in black coat, banded tie, and white shirt, facing three-quarter left with his eyes looking directly at the viewer. His right hand is visible and resting on a red Bible. His hair is short and very dark, and his coloring is vivid. The background is mottled shades of grey and brown.
History:Portrait of Rev. Cornelius Gregory Macpherson (1806-1899) by Lewis de St. Leger (b. 1808 in PA - ?). The artist was in the Nashville area from 1837 to at least 1840. Professionally restored in 2009 by West Lake Conservators. Owned by family of Cornelia Macpherson Hughes Shake of Jackson TN and later Syracuse NY since early 1950s. Previous to 1950s, it was in the Macpherson family in the Louisville, Kentucky area, where Rev. Macpherson had retired to in the 1870s. Painting was done in gratitude for Rev. Macpherson offering the artist hope of salvation after the artist had been imprisoned in the TN State Penitentiary for attempt to kill (domestic dispute). Rev. Macpherson was performing prison ministry in addition to his duties at Cumberland University.
Notes:Rev. Macpherson was a Cumberland Presbyterian minister associated with the establishment of Cumberland University in Lebanon Tennessee.
