"A portrait is a picture in which there is just a tiny little something not quite right about the mouth." -- John Singer Sargent

Sunday, May 1, 2016

William Patterson


This 1784 - 1788 portrait of William Patterson by Robert Edge Pine hangs in the Maryland Historical Society Museum in Baltimore Maryland.
"William Patterson (1752-1835) was an Irish immigrant who made his fortune during the Revolutionary War, trading with France for powder and arms for General Washington's troops. In 1778, when he arrived in Baltimore from Philadelphia, he possessed $100,000 to invest in shipping and real estate. He continued to grow his financial investments and shipping empire throughout his lifetime. In 1827, Patterson donated five acres of land to the city for a park which today is known as Patterson Park. " -- Maryland Historical Society
 

This bovine sculpture was originally the fountain head of a natural spring at the base of Hampstead Hill (Patterson Park) known as the "Taurus Fountain". The by-then contaminated fountain was closed down in the 20th century and the sculpture was moved to a wall in Patterson Park.  


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