Born in 1873, William Rufus Gray was the son of the Hon. William Gray, a Revolutionary War veteran, millionaire, and owner of a vast fleet of merchant vessels. His son, pictured here, graduated from Harvard in 1800, was also a merchant, and died in 1831.

This is an unsigned oil on board with Salem Harbor in the background, set in a period gold frame measuring 12 3/4” by 15” overall.

Three-quarter portraits are uncommon.