Height 175.5 cm x W 122.5 cm x D 14.0 cm
A 3/4 length portrait of Henry Cunningham standing facing forward with his head turned to the viewer's right. The figure stands with his right hand resting on the corner edge of a table, upon which is a scrolled document. In his left hand, which is raised and slightly forward at above waist height, he holds a small piece of paper. The subject is wearing a long, black topcoat, black trousers, a black waistcoat, and a white shirt with gold studs and a black bowtie. Around his neck is a gold chain of office with a round pendant medallion at the bottom, and several ovoid medallions forming other links in the chain. The figure has wavy red-brown hair parted in the centre, a full brown beard and moustache, and brown eyes. In the background to the left is a red drapery panel, in the centre background behind the figure is a plain pillar, and in the background to the right is an atmospheric sky and a second plain pillar. The painting is signed "W. Sawyer_ / 1875" in brown paint in the lower right corner.
The painting is housed in a late 19th century gilt wood and plaster frame. Plain back edge; foliate bead, plain deep scotia, stepped to top edge; corner cartouches with plain cabochon centres, crown-like outer corner, fluer-de-lis in inner corners, foliate vines at outer edges; foliate centres; leaf and berry motif top edge; decorative strapping on sanded scotia; plain stepped band; foliate bead, plain bevelled sight edge.
After emigrating from Ireland as a young man, Cunningham established the Victoria Foundry and the Stove Works in Kingston – for a time one of the largest manufacturers in Ontario. A man of diverse talents, Cunningham received a medal for his service in the Fenian raids and was a Trustee and Recording Secretary for the Sydenham Street Church for 40 years.
