Union League President

[Garth Herrick]

This is the presidential portrait of Daniel DiLella for the Union League of Philadelphia. Actually, this is his second portrait for this official purpose. The first was painted by a world acclaimed figurative painter, but as this client and the League were not satisfied with it, I was engaged to paint this subsequent replacement. The formal unveiling occurred just two weeks ago, on September 5th, 2006, and was a splendid affair, indeed. It will hold the best spot in a room full of past presidents for the next few years, then every portrait will be rotated on the walls again to accomodate some new ones.

Everyone at the unveiling appeared to be satisfied this time . The Union League of Philadelphia is a venerable institution founded in 1862 as a civic response to the ongoing U. S. Civil War. It remains today a civic minded club with a very genteel membership of old blood and old money; and mostly Republican Party affiliations. Abraham Lincoln holds god-like status here, as the original Republican President.

While the League, which must be the most opulent and sumptiously appointed club I could ever imagine, has graciously commissioned portraits of its own presidents every two years over the past one-hundred-and-thirty, it also has an exemplary collection of U. S. Presidential portraits hanging within its hallowed and gilt halls. All, but a few select exceptions, are Republican presidents. There is one lone Democrat: Andrew Jackson; and a few Whigs to accompany him, back to this nation's founding father, George Washington, proudly appearing within a colossal equestrian portrait by Thomas Sully that dwarfs the grand staircase. More recent examples rank the best in my eyes, and include Gerald Ford, and George Herbert Walker Bush (Bush#1), by Everett Raymond Kinstler, and Ronald Reagan by Nelson Shanks. Mr. Shanks also just painted the current League president (following my client), and is having a major exhibition of his paintings here, beginning in October, for a couple of months.

Needless to say, all this can be more than a little intimidating for my first foray with this institution, and it made me want to give this portrait my very best effort so it might hold a candle with the rest of the collection. My intent was to deliberately paint a conservative portrait image that would fit with all the fifty some peers upon the walls in Lincoln Hall. I hope in this regard, the portrait speaks for itself. The idea for the background comes directly out of the aforementioned legacy Sully portait of Washington. The League members make that visual contextual connection immediately. The size of this painting is 40 inches by 30 inches; which is about the average of the Hall's collection, and Mr. DiLella is therefore represented just slightly under life-size. By the way, Mr. DiLella graciously afforded me over twenty hours of sittings out of his consuming schedule. He was a serious client!

With all that said, allow me to share some pictures! The frame is by far, the fanciest I have ever employed, and yet it is relative simple and conservative within the context of this League's opulence. Cost was not an issue (and it was costly)!

Garth

[Garth Herrick]

For context, here are a few other shots. The room with the colossal chandelier and walnut paneling is the room full of fifty League presidents where this one will be added. The wall full of gilt frames comprise some of the historic U. S. presidents in the collection.

If anyone is visiting Philadelphia, the collection is definitely worth an hour's visit. Then again, there is the much touted Nelson Shanks exhibition coming right up which will hang in a room closely adjoining the portrait i just completed.

Garth

[Sharon Knettell]

A handsome portrait Garth. I love the little scene at the bottom, it is a great excuse for the warm background.

When I first saw this in the WIP's, I thought a 'Union President'?, they actually have funds for such a hifalutin' portrait! I was thinking Teamsters, not a Republican club.

Wonderful job, exposure, everything.

Congratulations on getting him to sit.

[Garth Herrick]

Hi Sharon, and thanks!

There is so much potential confusion here with "union" and "president". Thanks for helping to sort that out.

One feels to gain in importance upon entering this club, as an array of tail-jacketed service attendants will cater to your tiniest needs. Don't even think of coming around without a conservative tie and jacket! Cigars are welcome, but the one social vice that cannot be tolorated are cell phones! As I quietly was dining on my lunch buffet one day, I made the faux-pas of answering my phone, set to vibrator, with a whispered tone of voice. Swiftly a folded card with the pen-scripted message indicating that my time was up, was placed over my dinner plate! I was beat red at all the scolding stares from neighboring diners amid their power lunch discussions. Now I know better!

It was interesting painting this portrait on site. The League was a virtual art academy while I was working. I actually displaced Nelson Shanks' Studio Incamminati classes taking place in the same space I was working. It was interesting to meet some serious art students there.

Garth

[Alexandra Tyng]

Garth,

How wonderful to finally see this unveiled on the forum! As you know I've been priviledged to see it in various stages of completion, and I don't think the photos do it justice. Though the overall color scheme is warm, there's a lot more variation of colors, more cool highlights in the skin, and more of a three-dimensional feeling when viewed in person.

The thing that struck me right away was how you really captured this man's energy. He looks full of tensile strength, if that's a word you can use to describe a person. He's about ready to jump off the desk and get right to work. When you see the portrait in person the effect is even more striking.

Congratulations on making an artistic success of this, for putting in all those hours of life work while the Incamminati students (and teachers) were hanging over your shoulder, and for satisfying your client and the Union League membership. A real feat!

[Allan Rahbek]

Hi Garth,
Congratulations with yet another successful delivery.

I am quite impressed when I compare the finished portrait with the early stages presented in the WIP section. The original layout is basically kept intact, but you have carried out a lot of small alterations that, in a mysterious way, have balanced the figure in a better way and even made him look both younger and more dynamic.

I agree that The League should be happy to know you

[John Reidy]

Very nice, Garth-

Excellent job and happy clients. Wonderful.

Congratulations. (I'm glad to see the tie at the bottom of his coat).