The Portrait of General Alger

Like a great old film, the portrait of Russell A. Alger Sr., now hanging in Alger House Library, has carried an air of mystery for more than 125 years. The painting, displayed since November 2025, creates a powerful visual and historical link between the Alger family legacy and the site itself.

The portrait first surfaced online as a photograph of an oil painting posted with the uncertain heading, “Civil War officer possibly Russell Alexander Alger?” Despite the uncertainty, the likeness was immediately obvious. Even more compelling, it is the only image showing Alger nearly full length in his Union uniform that we have found. As The War Memorial had recently acquired a stunning oil portrait of  his wife, Annette Henry Alger, the new portrait of Russell Sr. has reunited the couple on the Library walls of their son’s former residence.

Alger’s uniform shoulder boards indicate the rank of colonel, which he held while commanding troops under General George Armstrong Custer in the famed 5th Michigan Volunteer Cavalry. Historically, the service dates would have been between February 28, 1863, to September 20, 1864, while he was leading his men in important Civil War battles at Boonsboro, Trevillian Station, and Gettysburg.

In the decades following the war, especially during the 1880s, it became fashionable for former officers to commission formal portraits depicting themselves in military dress. For now brevet Major General Alger, such a portrait was entirely fitting. During this decade, he had served as Michigan’s governor, was deeply involved in veteran organizations such as the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) and the Loyal Legion, and had become a highly successful businessman. His name frequently circulated in Republican circles as a potential presidential candidate. A commissioned portrait in the 1880’s, honoring his military service, not only emphasized his identity as a Civil War hero, but also reflected his stature in society.

After extensive research, the portrait was ultimately discovered to be located at the Detroit Historical Museum, where it had been donated in 1958 by Russell A. Alger III while he was living in Virginia. Stored for decades, it had remained largely unseen until its rediscovery. Upon finding the painting, a deal was made that directly lead to the painting being loaned to The War Memorial for 5 years.

Thanks to the Detroit Historical Society’s stewardship, and commitment to Michigan’s history, the painting is now on a five-year loan and on public display here at The War Memorial. This partnership exemplifies the DHS’s role as an invaluable asset to Detroit and the state, preserving and making accessible the stories that shape Michigan’s past, particularly during the America 250 Michigan commemorative year.

Though its original frame had deteriorated and required replacement with one of similar vintage, the portrait itself—measuring approximately 53 by 48 inches—was remarkably well preserved. One detail remains elusive: who the artist is since the painting is unsigned.

Our preservation partners, Historic Surfaces, Inc. (who are currently working restoring the Alger House’s Dining Room walls and ceiling), and art experts from the Michigan State Capitol, examined the work and noted strong stylistic similarities to our signed portrait of Annette Alger done by Lewis Ives. Upon further investigation, we were able to find the distinctive 1880s triangular label from the Hanna & Ives Art Store on the back of the original frame. Operated by Augustus Ives, Lewis Ives’s eldest son, the gallery featured works by both Lewis and his younger son, Percy Ives. Examination under black light revealed one possible area of overpaint in the lower left corner that could be a signature, or just a dark smudge.

While advanced imaging, via a specialized MRI, may one day uncover the artist’s identity, but until that occurs, the mystery of exactly who so beautifully captured “Colonel Alger”, and when, shall remain just that. The importance of these efforts lie in preserving the commanding likeness of General Russell A. Alger Sr., being displayed in the home built by his son, and shared with the public through a meaningful partnership with the Detroit Historical Society.