This is a frontal three-quarter view of a seated, older, bearded male–Charles D. Etnyre. He is wearing a gray, three-piece suit, and dark-blue necktie. The suit is painted with gray, blue, and brown highlights. The suit jacket is unbuttoned, and the chain of a pocket watch is visible. Etnyre’s receding hair is parted on the right and he holds his head with just a hint of a tilt. There are two deep vertical lines between his eyebrows, and the left side of his face is in shadow. Over his right shoulder, an edge of dark wood from the chair back shows. The figure’s arms are supported by the unseen arms of the chair. The background is a lighter gray, swirled with tan. There is an inscription at the top right of the canvas.
C. D. Etnyre was an early board member of the library. At this time, there was not a salaried librarian and board members took turns covering what passed for the circulation desk. Etnyre served on the library board from 1879-1940. The inscription reads: “To Chas. D. Etnyre in appreciation of many kindnesses.”