H 144.5 cm x W 118.0 cm x D 11.5 cm
A half-length portrait of John Counter seated in a red-upholstered wooden armchair, with the chair facing the lower left corner of the composition. The figure's left elbow rests on the arm of the chair with his hand over his lap and loosely grasping a scrolled document; his right hand rests curled on his right leg, elbow by his side.He is wearing a black topcoat with a high collar, a black waistcoat, a white high-collared shirt and a white cravat. Around his shoulders is a gold chain of office with open links. The figure's face is turned towards the viewer; he has medium-length curling brown hair, dark eyebrows, and green eyes looking directly at the viewer. The background consists of a portion of a tan-coloured wall and a possible alcove behind the sitter's left shoulder. The painting is signed "A. Bradish. 1842." in brown paint in the lower right corner on the arm of the chair.
The painting is housed in a mid 19th century gilt wood and plaster frame. Plain wide bevelled back edge, narrow bevelled outside edge; astragal and cove top edge, wide frieze with cabochon corners; astragal and cove, cavetto sight edge.
John Counter, the first mayor of the newly incorporated City of Kingston in 1846 was a baker turned entrepreneur. He worked to enhance Kingston’s economy by investing in industrial and transportation enterprises. As mayor, Counter was instrumental in the construction of City Hall. He enjoyed popularity until his final term when a conflict of interests forced him to resign.
