Alexander W. Rutherford Paintings

Alexander Cameron Rutherford, born on February 2, 1857, in Osgoode Township, Ontario, Canada, was not primarily known as an artist but as a politician and the first Premier of Alberta. However, since you've asked for information from an art historian's perspective, it's possible that there may be some confusion with a namesake who was an artist, or you might be looking for information on someone else entirely.

In terms of his professional life, Rutherford was a lawyer and a politician who played an instrumental role in the establishment and early governance of the province of Alberta. After studying at McGill University, where he received a B.A. and an LL.B., he was called to the Ontario Bar in 1881 and the Northwest Territories Bar in 1895. Rutherford moved to what is now Alberta and entered politics, becoming involved in the Liberal Party.

Rutherford's political career advanced when he was elected to the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories in 1902. With the creation of the province of Alberta in 1905, he became its first Premier. He held this position until 1910, during which time he was responsible for setting up the province's educational and judicial systems and was instrumental in founding the University of Alberta in 1908.

After his time as Premier, Rutherford continued to be active in various business and cultural endeavors. He passed away on June 11, 1941, in Edmonton, Alberta.

Regarding artistic endeavors, there is no substantial record of Alexander Cameron Rutherford being an artist or having a significant involvement in the arts beyond being a patron or an advocate due to his cultural interests, which included the founding of the University of Alberta. If you are inquiring about a specific artist named Alexander W. Rutherford, additional information would be necessary to provide an accurate biography, as this name is not widely recognized in the historical record of prominent artists.