South Carolina Portraits by Henry R. Rittenberg

Lot description

Portraits of John Wilkins Norwood and his wife, Frances (Fannie) Conyers Norwood; Greenville, South Carolina; oil on canvas by Henry R. Rittenberg (1879-1969)------John Wilkins Norwood (1865-1945) was a prominent and heralded banker in Greenville, South Carolina. He founded the Norwood National Bank of Greenville in 1907; and under his leadership, it became one of the most successful banks in all of South Caroina. In 1926, the Bank of Charleston combined with The Carolina National Bank in Columbia and The Norwood National Bank to become the South Carolina National Bank. In 1993, Wachovia bought the South Carolina National Bank; and in 2008, Wells Fargo took over Wachovia. Mr. Norwood also served on the boards of many companies and was a pillar of the Greenville community. The Greenville County Library came into being and existed for its first years on funds donated by Mr. Norwood and Thomas F. Parker.---Mr. Norwood's portrait signed upper left by artist, handwritten verso on canvas "John Wilkins Norwood at 76 / By Henry R. Rittenberg N.A. / Greenville