The Honorable James McGirr Kelly

[Garth Herrick]

The Honorable James McGirr Kelly was made the 55th Judge to serve on the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania since the Court's creation in 1789. Appointed by President Reagan in 1983, he was highly respected, and served ably until he passed away several months ago at 76 years of age.

My misfortune was never getting to meet him except through the recount of his family, colleagues and staff. Through them and a staff photographer who captured Judge Kelly at his prime, about fifteen years ago, and a son of the Judge who willingly modeled his robe for me, I was able to get sufficient resource material for this portrait, commissioned a couple of months ago for the Court.

The resource image was handsome. Judge Kelly posed modestly behind the chair wearing his finest three-piece navy suit, and in front of the many stacks of law case books paneling the interior wall of his judicial chambers. By request of his family, and the Historical Society of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, who commissioned me, Judge Kelly was to stand symbolically beside an American Flag, and be dressed for the bench in his robe.

Fitting his robe over his suit in a virtual manner in the painting presented some challenges. Twice, Judge Kelly's son modeled the robe as he had identical build and height. At times I tried the robe on too and stood in front of a mirror to double-check out the natural fall of a sleeve. One of these days I will just have to acquire a robe of my own. They are so expressive and fun to arrange, and different every time.

Judge Kelly's son also stood in for his father to help me out with the skin coloration. I don't like to put much trust into photographs. They can really mislead in that regard, and it was most helpful studying a living subject.

This portrait was formally unveiled this past Thursday morning, June 23rd, 2005

The Honorable James McGirr Kelly
Oil on linen,
42" x 36"
The Historical Society for the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
2005

Thanks for viewing!

Garth