Collection of the University of Pittsburgh Art Gallery, Pennsylvania.
1980.11
Portrait of the Foerster Family
1855 – 1856 (Date created)
1932 (Date collected)
1980 (Date accessioned)
1932 (Date collected)
1980 (Date accessioned)
Oil
Painting
Paintings
84.5 in W
x
54.5 in H
(Image)
99 in W x 69 in H (Frame)
99 in W x 69 in H (Frame)
American
A group portrait of nine figures in an interior space with a window view to the right, framed by red drapery. The group portrait includes six male and three female figures (right). Seven figures stand surrounding two seated figures at the center. The figures wear mid-nineteenth-century period dress.
The people represented are members of the artist's German-American family: his father, Dr. Martin Foerster (center); mother, Mrs. Martin Foerster (seated, right); four brothers, John Foerster, Edward Foerster, Charles Foerster, Joseph Foerster; and two sisters, Albertina Foerster, Eliza Foerster. The artist, Emil Foerster, is pictured third from the left. He worked two years on this group portrait in his Pittsburgh studio.
In Collection
University of Pittsburgh, University Art Gallery, 1980-Present
University of Pittsburgh, Cathedral of Learning, 1932-1980
Foerster Michael, Mrs. Elsa, unknown-1932 [Presumably kept within the family until 1932 when Mrs. Elsa Foerster Michael, grand-niece of Emil Foerster, donated the painting to the University of Pittsburgh]
University of Pittsburgh, Cathedral of Learning, 1932-1980
Foerster Michael, Mrs. Elsa, unknown-1932 [Presumably kept within the family until 1932 when Mrs. Elsa Foerster Michael, grand-niece of Emil Foerster, donated the painting to the University of Pittsburgh]
Falk, Peter H. The Annual Exhibition Record of the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts: 1807-1870. Philadelphia, PA: Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, 1955.
Fleming. History of Pittsburgh and Enviorns, from Prehistoric days to the Beginning of the American Revolution (vol III of V). New York and Chicago: The American Historical Society, Inc., 1922. (p. 626)
Lytle, Robert. "Cathedral Adds Foerster Portrait to Collection" The Pittsburgh Press September 25, 1933.
Pittsburgh Art Association. Catalogue of the First Annual Exhibition of the Pittsburgh Art Association. 1859. Gallery, Morton's Hall, Fifth Street, near Smithfield. Printed by Barr & Myers. (entry no. 188).
Pittsburgh Art Association. Catalogue of the Second Annual Exhibition of the Pittsburgh Art Association. Gallery, Jackson's Building, corner of Penn and St. Clair Streets. Printed by W.S. Haven, 1860.
Pittsburgh Academy of Art and Design. Catalogue for the Spring Exhibition of 1872. Exhibition Rooms. Library Building, Penn Avenue. Pittsburgh: Printed by Barr & Myers, corner Wood Street and Virgin Alley. 1872. Exhibition catalog entry no. 125 (for sale)
Pitt News October 24, 1933 "Add Foerster Pictures to Nationality Rooms."
Fleming. History of Pittsburgh and Enviorns, from Prehistoric days to the Beginning of the American Revolution (vol III of V). New York and Chicago: The American Historical Society, Inc., 1922. (p. 626)
Lytle, Robert. "Cathedral Adds Foerster Portrait to Collection" The Pittsburgh Press September 25, 1933.
Pittsburgh Art Association. Catalogue of the First Annual Exhibition of the Pittsburgh Art Association. 1859. Gallery, Morton's Hall, Fifth Street, near Smithfield. Printed by Barr & Myers. (entry no. 188).
Pittsburgh Art Association. Catalogue of the Second Annual Exhibition of the Pittsburgh Art Association. Gallery, Jackson's Building, corner of Penn and St. Clair Streets. Printed by W.S. Haven, 1860.
Pittsburgh Academy of Art and Design. Catalogue for the Spring Exhibition of 1872. Exhibition Rooms. Library Building, Penn Avenue. Pittsburgh: Printed by Barr & Myers, corner Wood Street and Virgin Alley. 1872. Exhibition catalog entry no. 125 (for sale)
Pitt News October 24, 1933 "Add Foerster Pictures to Nationality Rooms."
Please note that cataloging is ongoing and that some information may not be complete.