William Shirley, Governor of Massachusetts 1747

Peter Pelham’s 1747 engraving “William Shirley, Governor of Massachusetts” depicts William Shirley in a three-quarter length portrait wearing a formal coat and wig, holding a compass in his right hand. He stands in front of a landscape background with a fleet of ships visible in the distance, symbolizing his military and political leadership. Pelham was an English-born artist who is known for his portraits and engravings. This engraving is a testament to the importance of Shirley's role in the British Empire, and it is now housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.