Maine History Volume 43 Article 5 Number 4 Traditional Landscapes, Modern Maine 6-1-2008 William King, First Governor of Maine: His Known Portraits and Their tS ories Deanna Bonner-Ganter Maine State Museum Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/ mainehistoryjournal Part of the American Art and Architecture Commons, Political History Commons, and the United States History Commons Recommended Citation Bonner-Ganter, Deanna. "William King, First Governor of Maine: His Known Portraits and Their tS ories." Maine History 43, 4 (2008): 434-467. https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/mainehistoryjournal/vol43/iss4/5 This Reflection is brought to you for free and open access by DigitalCommons@UMaine. It has been accepted for inclusion in Maine History by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@UMaine. For more information, please contact
[email protected]. Reflections from the Curator’s Desk WILLIAM KING, FIRST GOVERNOR OF MAINE: HIS KNOWN PORTRAITS AND THEIR STORIES BY DEANNA BONNER-GANTER This article studies the known studio portraits of William King (1768- 1852), first governor of Maine, finding that the leader’s personal life and professional travels led to sittings with such noted master painters as Gilbert Stuart, Edward Greene Malbone, and Chester Harding. These living portraits reflect period styles, while later likenesses require a broad understanding of formal state portraiture and its historical elements. One portrait, having resurfaced recently, was found to have hung in the Hall of Flags in the State Capitol for almost thirty years; others required considerable research to determine their provenance. The Honorable James G. Blaine played an unexpected role in this history of King’s like- nesses, while the author traces other portrait provenances through mu- seum, probate, church, and vital records; deeds; family and town histo- ries; and the papers of notable politicians like Rufus King of New York.