William James

What it is

This is an oil portrait of William James, painted by John La Farge. The two men studied together as pupils in William Morris Hunt's studio in Newport, where James trained seriously as a painter before changing course toward science.

Why it matters

Before becoming a famous philosopher and psychologist, James seriously considered becoming an artist. This portrait, made by a fellow student who went on to a notable career as a painter, is a record of that earlier chapter of James's life and of his friendship with La Farge. It reminds students that influential thinkers often take winding paths before settling on their life's work.

Look closer

• What does James's pose, holding a palette, tell you about how he wanted to be shown at this stage of his life?
• Why might a fellow painter rather than a professional portraitist have painted this picture?
• What might this portrait leave out about who James would later become?