By Joshua Resnek [email protected] Last Thursday, approximately 200 attendees—including friends, former senate colleagues, and family members—gathered in the elegant and ornate Senate Reading Room to witness the unveiling of the highly anticipated official portrait of former State Senate President Thomas Birmingham. After delivering a 30-minute address, Birmingham removed the covering from the oil painting to enthusiastic applause. State Senate President Therese Murray noted that the portrait will be displayed alongside similar works in the Reading Room. Artist George Vick spent seven years creating this portrait, eschewing photography in favor of numerous studio sessions with Birmingham. The finished work presents a contemporary historical portrait that captures Birmingham as a consummate insider while simultaneously suggesting someone unafraid to challenge conventional thinking. Notably, Vick incorporated the facial image of Horace Mann—a former State Senate President, widely recognized as the father of public school education in America, and a significant influence on Birmingham. Mann’s distinguished 1863 bronze statue by Emma Stebbins adorns the front of the State House. Birmingham’s landmark 1993 Education Reform Bill represents his most significant achievement during his tenure as senate president. The inclusion of Mann’s image reflects Birmingham’s desire to link his own commitment to public school education with Mann’s legacy. Birmingham expressed satisfaction at returning to the State House, noting his pleasure at being addressed as “Mr. President.” Vick, the artist, said he had many long conversations with Birmingham when the former senate president was sitting for the portrait. “I know a lot more about Milton and Teddy Roosevelt as a result of this portrait,” the artist joked. A Harvard College and Harvard Law School graduate, Birmingham was also a Rhodes Scholar. He grew up on Essex Street and now resides on Nichols Street, where he practices labor law.
A Portrait of Success
