Portrait of Gideon Foster
Title
Portrait of Gideon Foster
Description
In the Trustee’s Room is our next work of art, Portrait of Gideon Foster by Charles Osgood (1809-1891). Charles Osgood was born in Salem and became a well known portrait artist. His most famous work is a portrait of Nathaniel Hawthorne, which is now owned by the Peabody Essex Museum.
This portrait of Gideon Foster (1749-1847) was commissioned by the Danvers Mechanic Institute in the 1840s. The Danvers Mechanic Institute was a model for the Peabody Institute Library, in that it was both a Library and Lyceum. One of its founders was Fitch Poole, who became the first Librarian of the Peabody Institute.
The painting shows Foster near the end of his life. In the background to Foster’s left is the Bunker Hill monument. Gideon Foster fought at the Battle of Lexington, as well as at Bunker Hill. After the Revolution, he returned to South Danvers to continue his work at the family’s chocolate mill which was located on what is now Foster Street.
This portrait of Gideon Foster (1749-1847) was commissioned by the Danvers Mechanic Institute in the 1840s. The Danvers Mechanic Institute was a model for the Peabody Institute Library, in that it was both a Library and Lyceum. One of its founders was Fitch Poole, who became the first Librarian of the Peabody Institute.
The painting shows Foster near the end of his life. In the background to Foster’s left is the Bunker Hill monument. Gideon Foster fought at the Battle of Lexington, as well as at Bunker Hill. After the Revolution, he returned to South Danvers to continue his work at the family’s chocolate mill which was located on what is now Foster Street.
Creator
Charles Osgood (1809-1891)
Source
Local History Resource Center at the Peabody Institute Library
Rights
All copyrights belong the Peabody Institute Library
Files
Collection
Citation
Charles Osgood (1809-1891), “Portrait of Gideon Foster,” Peabody Institute Library, accessed April 19, 2024, https://peabodyinstutelibrary.omeka.net/items/show/42.