Past Exhibition

Revealing Relationships: Portraits of New Hampshire Friends and Family

November 17, 2016, through October 28, 2017

Portraits are created for many reasons and in many forms, from oil paintings to marble sculpture. They could be keepsakes of a loved one separated by distance or death, mementos of an important life event, and symbols of status. Portraits often proudly displayed the status of the sitter, whether a rising young lawyer or a military officer who has traveled around the world.

Creating a portrait of a loved one or friend often marked a special occasion and, in the process, preserved their image for all time. Every portrait has within it stories about the life of the sitter, the artist, and the time it was painted. Portraits can also speak to the sitter's relationship with friends and family.

The exhibition Revealing Relationships: Portraits of New Hampshire Friends and Family was on display from November 17, 2016, through October 28, 2017, and featured 32 portraits from the Society’s collection.