Reverend James Blair (ca. 1655-1743)

Reverend James Blair was an Anglican minister, Scottish emigrant, and co-founder of the College of William & Mary (1693). He married Sarah Harrison of Virginia and they had no children. His brother was Archibald Blair. This portrait is signed by the English artist, John Hargraves (sometimes Hargroves or Hargreaves). It was painted in England ca. 1705.

Dimensions: 30 x 25 in. 30 x 25 in. (76.2 x 63.5 cm.)

The subject appears in his religious robes and a gray wig. He holds a book with his left hand, with the binding to his chest and his finger inside the book. He is against a plain background inside a painted oval. He is turned a little towards his left.

See: Encyclopedia Virginia