Collection of the University of Pittsburgh Art Gallery, Pittsburgh, PA.
1974.1.015
Rev. Robert Bruce D.D.
1835 (Date created)
Oil
Painting
Paintings
27.25 in W
x
33.5 in H
(Image)
50.75 in W x 43.375 in H (Frame)
50.75 in W x 43.375 in H (Frame)
American
Reverend Doctor Robert Bruce (1778–1846) is often regarded as the first chancellor of the Western University of Pennsylvania (now University of Pittsburgh), serving as "Principal" from 1819 to 1835 and again as "President" from 1836 to 1843. In this waist-length portrait, he is represented in this portrait seated, has gray hair, blue eyes, wears a white clerical collar with black scarf tie, black jacket with lapels. He holds a book in his proper right hand. A red curtain with gold tassels appears in the background.
In 1891, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania conferred university status to the Pittsburgh Academy. Robert Bruce was the first Principal of the newly renamed Western University of Pennsylvania, intended as the western sister institution to the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. Gilbert Morgan succeeded him as the first President in 1835, but Robert Bruce came back a year later, where he remained President of the University until 1843.
Born in Scotland in 1778. A prominent scholar, he studied at Edinburgh University, at the time of the introduction of Newton's theories into scientific instruction, and while David Hume and Dugald Stewart were teaching philosophy there. At Pittsburgh Academy, he joined the five-member faculty as professor of Natural Philosophy, Chemistry and Mathematics. He maintained his position as pastor of the First (United) Presbyterian Church of Pittsburgh while Principal of the renamed Western University. During his installation speech, Bruce spoke of his wish to open a School of Medicine and the need for the faculty to set good moral examples for the students. He believed that only a good local college could understand the city's educational needs, and left the University with loyal students in tow in 1843 when it was reorganized in an attempt to gain state funding. Bruce chartered the short-lived Duquesne College (1844-1849), where he taught until his death in 1846, despite reconciliation with the University.
A similar portrait, oil on canvas, is attributed to Jacob Eichholtz (1776-1842), circa 1840.
Born in Scotland in 1778. A prominent scholar, he studied at Edinburgh University, at the time of the introduction of Newton's theories into scientific instruction, and while David Hume and Dugald Stewart were teaching philosophy there. At Pittsburgh Academy, he joined the five-member faculty as professor of Natural Philosophy, Chemistry and Mathematics. He maintained his position as pastor of the First (United) Presbyterian Church of Pittsburgh while Principal of the renamed Western University. During his installation speech, Bruce spoke of his wish to open a School of Medicine and the need for the faculty to set good moral examples for the students. He believed that only a good local college could understand the city's educational needs, and left the University with loyal students in tow in 1843 when it was reorganized in an attempt to gain state funding. Bruce chartered the short-lived Duquesne College (1844-1849), where he taught until his death in 1846, despite reconciliation with the University.
A similar portrait, oil on canvas, is attributed to Jacob Eichholtz (1776-1842), circa 1840.
In Collection
Unknown
Exhibited at the Carnegie Institute of Pittsburgh and in the Cathedral of Learning (University of Pittsburgh)
Exhibited at the Carnegie Institute of Pittsburgh and in the Cathedral of Learning (University of Pittsburgh)
University of Pittsburgh, University Art Gallery, 1988.
Catalog of American Portraits, National Portrait Gallery, Index of Paintings, 1982.
Alberts, Robert C. (1987). Pitt: The Story of the University of Pittsburgh 1787-1987. Pittsburgh: University of Pittsburgh Press. ISBN 0-8229-1150-7.
Starrett, Agnes Lynch (1937). Through One Hundred and Fifty Years: The University of Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh: University of Pittsburgh Press.
New York Art Resources Consortium, http://nyarc-primo.hosted.exlibrisgroup.com/primo_library/libweb/action/display.do?ct=display&fn=search&doc=01NYARC_III.b1099855x&indx=1&recIds=01NYARC_III.b1099855x&recIdxs=0&elementId=0&renderMode=poppedOut&displayMode=full&frbrVersion=&tabs=detailsTab&gathStatTab=true&fromBrowseShelf=true&gathStatTab=true&dscnt=0&vl(1UIStartWith0)=exact&callNumberBrowseField=browse_callnumber&mode=Basic&vid=01NYARC&tabRealType=browseshelf&tab=default_tab&vl(446317019UI1)=all_items&dstmp=1466549003555&frbrVersion=&scp.scps=scope:(01NYARC_III),primo_central_multiple_fe&callNumber=eichholtz,+jacob+121-15h2&vl(66471889UI0)=sub&vl(freeText0)=Bruce, Robert , 1778-1846 (Accessed June 21 2016)
Catalog of American Portraits, National Portrait Gallery, Index of Paintings, 1982.
Alberts, Robert C. (1987). Pitt: The Story of the University of Pittsburgh 1787-1987. Pittsburgh: University of Pittsburgh Press. ISBN 0-8229-1150-7.
Starrett, Agnes Lynch (1937). Through One Hundred and Fifty Years: The University of Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh: University of Pittsburgh Press.
New York Art Resources Consortium, http://nyarc-primo.hosted.exlibrisgroup.com/primo_library/libweb/action/display.do?ct=display&fn=search&doc=01NYARC_III.b1099855x&indx=1&recIds=01NYARC_III.b1099855x&recIdxs=0&elementId=0&renderMode=poppedOut&displayMode=full&frbrVersion=&tabs=detailsTab&gathStatTab=true&fromBrowseShelf=true&gathStatTab=true&dscnt=0&vl(1UIStartWith0)=exact&callNumberBrowseField=browse_callnumber&mode=Basic&vid=01NYARC&tabRealType=browseshelf&tab=default_tab&vl(446317019UI1)=all_items&dstmp=1466549003555&frbrVersion=&scp.scps=scope:(01NYARC_III),primo_central_multiple_fe&callNumber=eichholtz,+jacob+121-15h2&vl(66471889UI0)=sub&vl(freeText0)=Bruce, Robert , 1778-1846 (Accessed June 21 2016)
Please note that cataloging is ongoing and that some information may not be complete.