Portrait of Dr. Paul R. Lichter

This portrait was unveiled during a moving ceremony, “A Tribute to Paul R. Lichter, M.D.” on Monday, January 9th, 2012 in the University of Michigan, Kellogg Eye Center’s Oliphant-Marshall Auditorium. Dr. Lichter, a world-renowned ophthalmologist, is the F. Bruce Fralick Professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences and Chair of the University of Michigan's Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, a department founded in 1872. In addition, Dr. Lichter served as Director of the University's W.K. Kellogg Eye Center. In remarks delivered by the Artist: “Although the tradition of painting portraits is not new, nor is the tradition of painting an institution’s leaders, it is important at this time to state the obvious…that among the thousands of people that have worked for this particular institution...only a small few portraits grace these walls. This moment is both a tribute to the history of the department and a testimony to Dr. Paul Lichter whom we honor with this portrait…a portrait that will remind future leaders of their history. It will join the portraits of the past leaders of the Department of Ophthalmology -- all of whom share a common bond - that of being strong, genuine individuals who were and will always be linked by their contributions to this institution and its success. I offer to you a work that portrays Dr. Lichter, I hope, as many of you often view him. He stands, gazing directly and intently at the viewer. He prominently displays his watch - a gift from his father, his wedding ring, and a small gold “M”, subtly placed on his lapel. Here, then, he is portrayed with the symbols of his life and loves...his love of this university, his family, and his commitment to his wife, Carolyn... During our many sittings, I was able to see his warmth, sincerity, and kindness. I saw it when he spoke of the Kellogg Eye Center, both old and new, of medicine, of Ann Arbor, and of his love for his family. I was able to see it in the way he showed genuine respect for his colleagues and staff, as well as his predecessors here at the University of Michigan.” In 2009, Adams painted posthumous portraits of three of the department’s leaders from the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The newest work joins the previous portraits, and becomes part of a collection that includes works by renowned artists John Koch and Everett Raymond Kinstler.