Reverend Increase Mather
SubjectPortrait of
John Cotton
(English, 1585 - 1652)
SubjectPortrait of
Increase Mather
(American, 1639 - 1723)
MediumOil on canvas
ClassificationsPainting
Credit LineGift of General Samuel L. Pitkin
Object number1844.1.2
Description[Half-length portrait of a man wearing clerical garb. His right arm is bent at the elbow with his hand in line with his chest. His left hand holds a Bible which is opened at Revelations, Chapters Two and Three. On the right of the picture there are shelves filled with books partially covered by a curtain. Over the subject's right shoulder is a scroll with the motto "Non est mortale quod opto". The painting has been altered by repainting over the original portrait. A very dim inscription at the subject's right near the upper corner appears to read "Aetet Suae 65 An:49".]
NotesSubject Note: This painting was given to the Connecticut Historical Society by General Samuel L. Pitkin as a portrait of Reverend Increase Mather. Due to the evidence of repainting, it is believed that the painting may have originally been of Mather's father-in-law, Reverend John Cotton.Status
On view
Unknown
2000 May 11
1923 - 1930
Davis & Sanford
