Cornelius Haly Hankins (Mississippi/Tennessee, 1863 – 1946) oil on board portrait depicting a bust portrait of a suited gentleman, likely Mr. Joe Weakley, against a tonal background. Signed and dated lower left, "Cornelius Hankins A.D. 1903" and inscribed to verso "To My Friend Mr. Joe Weakley 1903". Housed in a later oval gilt wood frame. Board: 16"H x 12"W. Frame: 19.375"H x 15.375"W. Biography: Mississippi-born Cornelius Hankins studied art in Nashville in 1883 under Professor Edwin M. Gardner and with Robert Henri, leader of the Ashcan School in St. Louis, and William Merritt Chase in New York. He taught in Richmond, Virginia for about 5 years before returning to Nashville to teach at the Nashville School of Art. He painted a number of still lives and landscapes, but made most of his income from portraits. He painted a number of prominent Southern subjects including Civil War officers and several governors. (Source: The Tennessee Encyclopedia).

PROVENANCE: The collection of William and Danya Downey, Nashville, TN.

CONDITION: Overall good condition. With vertical surface age cracks throughout, consistent with age. Board verso with minor loss, most notably to the right of upper center and top edge.