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Historical Synopsis: Portrait of Rufus B. Kellogg, by George P.A. Healy
The following historical synopsis was prepared as a result of the restoration, conservation and preservation of the Rufus B. Kellogg portrait shown below. The portrait came into the possession of the Green Bay & De Pere Antiquarian Society due to the Cultural Heritage Community Campaign. The donations of many people and businesses allowed the Green Bay & De Pere Antiquarian Society to purchase many historical artifacts, paintings and other works, including the Heritage Collection.
Over a period of months, Art Conservator, Anton ("Tony") Rajer, led the restoration and preservation efforts on this painting, along with a rare Cristofano Allori work known as "The Hospitality of St. Julian" (c.1615). Read, watch and see more about the background on this restored work... the restoration process..., and "The Extraordinary Unveiling of the Conserved Paintings of Rufus B. Kellogg & Hospitality/The Prodigal Son" event...
Rufus B. Kellogg (1837-1891)
  The Green Bay banker and financier Rufus B. Kellogg (1837-1891) commissioned the American artist, George P.A. Healy (1813-1894), to paint his portrait in Parish, France in 1887.
Imbued with the spirit of 19th century Paris, the regal portrait shows Kellogg as a successful businessman reading the French newspaper Le Petite Journal and seated in an ornate green chair, dressed in 19th century business attire, with red drapery background.
Kellogg’s philanthropy included the establishment of the public library in Green Bay, as well as an educational endowment at Ahmerst (Ma) College, where an identical version of the portrait hangs from 1892. Rufus graduated from Amherst College before eventually moving to Green Bay. He generously supported many local charities and promoted education, business, literacy, and thrift.
George P.A. Healy (1813-1894)
 George Healy was a distinguished American portrait painter known for his ability to capture a likeness of the sitter. Winner of  several gold and silver medals at exhibits in Europe, he maintained studios in Parish, New York and Chicago.
Healy was remarkable facile, enterprising, courageous and industrious. Among his notable portraits were President Lincoln, President Grant, Lord Nelson, President Jefferson, and Pope Pius IX.
The Green Bay & De Pere Antiquarian Society purchased the painting among other works of art in 2007 through the support of community donors in order to keep them in the community. The painting was conserved through the support of Associated Bank. It resides on loan at Associated Bank - Green Bay for public viewing.
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