Portrait of Justice Frances E. Sweeney, Supreme Court of Ohio

In a private ceremony at attended by close family and friends of the late Justice Francis Sweeney Sr. on May 8, 2013, the official portrait of the former Justice was dedicated. Justice Sweeney was the 144th Ohio Supreme Court Justice who served from 1993 to 2004. Justice Sweeney’s son, Frances Sweeney, Jr. said he was blown away by the portrait’s likeness to his father. “It was the life that came out of it that was really, really amazing,” Supreme Court justices who worked with Justice Sweeney when he sat on the bench also offered words of support in remembrance of the man who meant so much to them. “He was a colleague that was respected, that was well loved,” said Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor. “We are poor for his departure from the court. We are rich, though, with memories and affection for him and for you and the family.”

Justice Sweeney’s portrait is installed on the first floor of the Chief Justice Thomas J. Moyer Judicial Center. This is the Artist’s sixth official portrait for the state of Ohio and the second for the Supreme Court of Ohio. Adams also painted the official portrait of Chief Justice Thomas J. Moyer and former Governor Ted Strickland.