Henry Peters Gray
President National Academy
(1819 - 1877)
"Henry Peters Gray was born June 23, 1819, in New York. He began his art studies under Daniel Huntington, P.N.A., in 1839. Gray went to Europe in 1840 and studied the old masters. On his return in 1842 he was elected a National Academician. From 1869-71 he was president of the National Academy. Painting portraits in New York, with an occasional figure picture, occupied the greater part of his career. The Origin of Our Flag was one of the last of his exhibits at the Academy, in 1875. His work shows his sound academic study, and his color is reminiscent of the golden tone of Titian or Correggio. Many of his portraits are cabinet size. He died November 12, 1877, in New York." DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN PAINTERS, etc.; Mantle Fielding.