James Garfield and Family

Art Historical Context

This vibrant chromolithograph, *James Garfield and Family*, by the Kurz & Allison Lithography Company 1882, captures 20th U.S. President James A Garfield surrounded by his wife, Lucretia Rudolph Garfield, their children—Abram, Harry Augustus, Irvin McDowell, James Rudolph and Mary—and his mother, Eliza Ballou Garfield. just a year after Garfield's tragic assassination in 1881, the print serves as a poignant family portrait, emphasizing domestic warmth amid national mourning. Garfield, a lawyer, Civil War general, and Ohio native, is depicted with his accomplished offspring, including future lawyers, educators, and public servants like James Rudolph, who later became Secretary of the Interior. Kurz & Allison, a Chicago firm renowned for their colorful lithographic prints of American history, excelled in producing affordable, patriotic imagery for middle-class homes. This medium—chromolithography—allowed for vivid, multi-layered colors and intricate details, making presidential portraits accessible to the public during an era of rapid print reproduction. The artwork reflects the Gilded Age fascination with celebrity presidents and ideal family life, immortalizing Garfield's legacy as a self-made man from humble roots. Housed in the Smithsonian American Art Museum's National Portrait Gallery, this piece highlights how prints democratized art and history, fostering national unity and remembrance. Visitors will appreciate its blend of personal intimacy and public reverence.