Dennis Williams (American, 1851-1889), Portrait of Judge Andrew G. Henry

Pastel and pencil on paper, signed and dated "D. Williams '73" at lower left, presented in likely original frame under glass.

Sight size 25 1/2 x 18 1/4 in.; Frame dimensions 32 x 24 1/2 in.

Dennis Williams was a self-taught African American artist and businessman. He was born enslaved living in Mississippi, and he eventually moved to Springfield, Illinois, where he set up a studio and marketed himself as “the old reliable crayon artist.” He won a number of awards in the county for his work as a portraitist.

Andrew G. Henry (1824-1906) was a judge and legislator from Greenville, Illinois. A Republican and supporter of Abraham Lincoln, Henry was elected to the Illinois House in 1872 and 1874.

While it is documented that Dennis Williams was a prolific portraitist, this portrait is one of only four known existing portraits by Williams.

Some toning and sheet rippling; two sheet nicks at left; few faint spots; not examined out of frame.

$1,000 - 3,000