Portrait of K. Leroy Irvis

Object number2004.152.1

Date1983

MediumGraphite on paper; Wood

Credit LineGift of K. Leroy Irvis.

DescriptionGraphite on paper, portrait of African American man seated in chair, wearing a suit, white shirt and tie. He wears eye glasses and a wrist watch and the chair that he is seated in is in front of wooden book shelves lined with books.DimensionsFramed size, 51" x 58.25"
Signed"Kenneth Cottrell/12-83" front, bottom center
Historical NotesPittsburgh artist Kenneth Cottrell was commisssioned by the OIC to execute this portrait of former Pensylvania State House of Representatives Speaker, K. Leroy Irvis, who was the first African American to serve in that position. He served fifteen consecutive terms in the State Legislature and sponsored 1,600 pieces of legislature. The portrait belonged to the Irvis family and had been hanging at the Homewood Library prior to donation.Label TextKenneth Cottrell was commissioned by the OIC to execute this portrait of former Pennsylvania State House of Representatives Speaker, K. Leroy Irvis. Mr. Irvis served as speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from 1977 to 1979 and again from 1983 to 1988. His election made him the first African American to serve in that position and the longest serving Pennsylvania House Speaker. Irvis served 15 consecutive terms in the State Legislature and sponsored 1,600 pieces of legislation.

Related person K. Leroy Irvis (1919 - 2006)

Related institution Homewood Library

Related institution House of Representatives

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