Images(4)

Portrait of William B. Scaife

Object number2018.64.2

Artist David Birdsey Walkley (American, 1849 - 1934)

MediumOil on canvas; Wood; Metal

Credit LineGift of Roger Livinston Scaife, Charles Sprague Scaife, Benjamin Lincoln Scaife, Stephen White Scaife

DescriptionFramed oil painting on canvas. Bust portrait of an older man, depicted in three-quarter-view facing proper right. Sitter has white-gray hair and wears a black suit with black vest, white collared shirt, and understated black bowtie.DimensionsHeight x Width x Depth (Framed): 32.5 × 26.375 × 2.625 in. (82.6 × 67 × 6.7 cm)
Height x Width (Sight size): 25.813 × 19.75 in. (65.6 × 50.2 cm)
SignedArtist name hand-painted in black on verso of canvas across top left "D.B. Walkley".
InscriptionsFrame has brass plate on front at bottom center with engraved text "WILLIAM B. SCAIFE / 1812-1876".

Reverse has paper framer's label at top center with gold text "WUNDERLY BROS / FINE / ART / DEALERS / PITTSBURGH, PA."
Historical NotesOil on canvas portrait of William B. Scaife by D.B. Walkley that portrays him as an older man. The portraits originated in Pittsburgh and were passed down the family line through the male heirs: William B. Scaife; Roger Livingston Scaife; Roger Marvin Scaife; Benjamin Lincoln Scaife William B. Scaife was born in Pittsburgh on September 5, 1912, the son of English immigrants, Jeffery and Lydia (Borrett) Scaife. Jeffery Scaife started a business in 1802 that manufactured tin and sheet-iron goods, eventually William took over the business, and in 1833, named it W.B. Scaife & Co. They manufactured tin, sheet-iron, and copper goods. In 1867, he changed the name again to William B. Scaife & Sons. William married Mary Frisbee. They had six sons and attended M.E. Church. William, a Whig and Republican, died in 1876. The Scaife Company continued on for over 100 years and the Scaife family played a major role in the development of the region. Artist D.B. Walkley (1849-1934) studied at Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts (PAFA) from 1867 to 1871, and taught at the Pittsburgh School of Design from 1879 to 1884.

Related person William Borrett Scaife (1812 - 1876)

Related institution William B. Scaife & Sons

Related institution Wunderly Brothers

Previous owner Roger Livingston Scaife

Previous owner Roger Marvin Scaife

Subjects

On View

Not on view