Portrait of Myra Thayer McConway
Portrait of Myra Thayer McConway
Portrait of Myra Thayer McConway

Portrait of Myra Thayer McConway

Object number2016.130.1
Artist
Date1939
MediumPaint/Canvas/Wood/Metal/Paper/Adhesive/Adhesive tape/Rubber Oil Paint
Credit LineGift of Estate of William McConway Siebert
DescriptionPortait of a woman. Subject is seated on couch with yellow and green floral upholstery. Subject is in three-quarter view facing proper right, sits with legs crossed and hands in lap, and gazes directly at the viewer. Subject has short curled gray hair and wears a floor-length red gown and a pearl necklace.Dimensions50.6249 x 39.6249 x 3.25 in. (128.6 x 100.6 x 8.3 cm)
SignedBoris B. Gordon Bottom right corner
InscriptionsReverse has newspaper clipping taped to bottom left corner of frame with printed black text "THE PITTSBURGH PRESS Other Press Departments, Court 7200 SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1939 / No matter how busy members of / the Social Register set are they al- / ways have time for interests. / Mrs. William McConway of More- / wood Ave. has been spending hours / sitting for a portrait being painted / by Boris Gordon of Washington / D. C. The painting is to be a gift / to the subject's daughter, Mrs. / Charles T. Siebert Jr. of South / Linden Ave."
MarksArtist signature and date painted in bottom right corner "Boris B. Gordon - 1939."

Reverse has framer's label at top center with printed text including "J.J. Gillespie / company / FINE ART / GALLERIES / ... / 306 SEVENTH AVENUE / PITTSBURGH, PA. 15222".

Reverse has artist's paper note taped to top right with typed and handwritten black ink text "BORIS G. GORDON / Oct. 14th. 1939. / Received from Mrs. William McConway / Jr. of Pittsburgh Penna. $1250.00 on account / two portraits I am now painting of / Mrs. McConway for a consideration / of $2,250.00 for each portrait when / completed with satisfaction = / Boris B. Gordon / Stouwleigh[?] Court / Washington D.C."
Historical NotesOil painting portrait of Myra Thayer Conway, wife of William McConway, Jr. William followed his father into the family business, McConway & Torley, manufacturers of the first automatic railway coupler. Both father and son hold numerous patents for rail-related inventions. The family was also prominent in the Pittsburgh social scene. The artist, Boris B. Gordon, was a nationally renowned artist who painted portraits of political figures and wealth individuals, as well as nature scenes.
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