H. Cyrus Farnum

Farnum was a well traveled late nineteenth century painter of unquestionable ability. After graduating from Rhode Island School of Design, he studied at the Academy Julien under J. Paul Laurens and Benjamin Constant in 1893. Upon his return to Providence he occupied a studio at the Butler Exchange where he completed several portraits of governors, mayors and local politicians. Like most artists of the day, the demand for public portraiture was an important source of income to subsidize his career as a professional artist. Farnum’s technical skill was well developed and he had the uncanny ability to capture the sublities of nature scenes, such as the quality of a soft atmosphere or a dusty road. His paintings were well executed, capturing activity in a fluid and poetic manner.