Portrait of the Earl of Dartmouth Unveiled

Posted on January 01, 2008 by Kristin Swan

Hood Quarterly, winter 2008

The Hood's celebrated portrait of William Legge, the second Earl of Dartmouth (1731–1801), after whom the college was named, was unveiled during a ceremony with the Hood Museum of Art Board of Overseers in October with special remarks by Dartmouth College President James Wright and Jonathan L. Cohen D'61, T'61, chairman of the board.

The painting of Lord Dartmouth, by acclaimed portrait painter Pompeo Batoni, was completed in 1756 and is one of the finest portraits of the benefactor who would later become the principal supporter of Eleazar Wheelock's Indian Charity School. The acquisition of the portrait was made possible with funds generously given by Jane Dance and David Dance D'40, T'41, Jonathan L. Cohen D'60, T'61, Frederick Whittemore D'53, T'54, Barbara Dau Southwell '78 and David Southwell T'88, Parnassus Foundation/Jane and Raphael Bernstein, and an anonymous donor. The portrait is on view in Albright Gallery on the first floor.



Written January 01, 2008 by Kristin Swan