United States House of Representatives: History, Art, & Archives
Search the website

Joseph Wellington Byrns

Joseph Wellington Byrns/tiles/collection/2/2813.xml
Previous Next

Date

1933

Artist

George B. Matthews

Dimensions

40 1/4 × 30 1/8 in. (102.2 × 76.5 cm) Framed: 47 1/2 x 37 1/2 x 2 3/4 in. (120.7 x 95.3 x 7 cm)

Accession Number

2002.006.009

Credit Line

Collection of the U.S. House of Representatives

Object Details

George Matthews was well-positioned for this 1933 commission to paint Joseph Byrns. He had been employed as both a painter and restorer at the Capitol for decades. While the House Collection contains only two of his portraits, his work is evident in many wall paintings in the building. He was known to have retouched and repainted Brumidi’s 19th century frescoes. In some cases, the overpainting was so extensive that he signed and dated his work. This Appropriations Committee Chairman’s portrait, an original composition, is one of Matthews’ best efforts, and he gives the notoriously craggy Byrns a rosy, beatific look.

Rights and Reproduction Information

Jump To

View Related Objects

Members of the House Economy Committee
Members of the House Economy Committee

View Related People

BYRNS, Joseph Wellington
BYRNS, Joseph Wellington

View Related Content

Speaker of the House Joseph Byrns of Tennessee
Speaker of the House Joseph Byrns of Tennessee
Office of the Historian: history@mail.house.gov
Office of Art & Archives, Office of the Clerk: art@mail.house.gov, archives@mail.house.gov