Dr. William Butler

Unknown Artist

National Gallery of Art

The image depicts an older man in an upper-body portrait. His body faces slightly left while he looks at the viewer. He has a long white beard, a mustache, and wears a cap with elaborate designs. The man is wearing a richly decorated coat with fur-like features around the collar. He is seated and rests his hands on a book. The background features an oval frame with ornamental designs. The text around the frame identifies him and hints at a scholarly context.