James Buchanan
Medium
Classification
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; gift of John O'Brien
Accession Number
NPG.2008.95
Rights
Public Domain
Tags
Art Historical Context
This striking 1856 print by John Jabez Edwinall captures James Buchanan, the 15th President of the States, at a pivotal moment in American history. Created just as Buchanan secured the Democratic nomination and won the presidency amid rising sectional tensions over slavery, the portrait reflects his stature as a seasoned Pennsylvania lawyer, diplomat, minister, and former Secretary of State. Displayed in the Smithsonian American Art Museum's collection (gift to the National Portrait Gallery), it embodies the era's fascination with political leaders through accessible printed imagery. Mayall, ...