The portrait was commissioned by St Leonard's College in 1989. Mr Cornish sat for the artist in his office dressed in his cap and gown. Initially the portrait was hung in the main school hall, before being moved to the Cornish Campus in the mid 1990's.Richard Burnet Cornish was principal of St Leonard's College from January 1971 to October 1989. He was a dreamer, a driver, a doer and a visionary leader who purchased the land for Cornish Campus in July 1981 and presided at the official opening in February 1987. Another of his achievements was the introduction of the International Baccalaureate for year 11 and 12 students in 1982.An oil painting of Richard Cornish in accademic gown in 1989, his last year as principal. Signed by the artist "Stanley Ballard '89"the_st_leonards_years, cornish, richard