Portrait Of William Frederick Gray

One of 19th-century Virginia's most distinguished citizens, William Frederick Gray (1822-1914) was the husband of Elizabeth Valentine of Richmond and served for many years as representative of the French government on the Richmond Tobacco Exchange. Painted around 1840, Chatelain's portrait depicts Gray in his early twenties, when he was in Italy. In the 19th century, prominent Americans such as Gray often completed their educations by undertaking the Grand Tour, visiting particularly the museums and historical sites of Italy. In this sunny portrayal of a young American abroad, Gray appears in the midst of his travels, his books at his side.

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