Portrait of James Buchanan, painted by William McMaster. The artist painted this as a copy of his July 1856 Buchanan portrait after the General Election in November 1856. This portrait was commissioned by the Empire Club, which was a powerful political organization in New York during the mid-19th century. Captain Isaiah Rynders was the founder of the Club; his "sluggers" committed voter intimidation and election fraud on behalf of Tammany Hall throughout the 1840s and 1850s. The Empire Club purportedly paid McMaster $1,000 (equal to $28,571 today) to paint a copy of McMaster's July 1856 Buchanan portrait. This copy was hung in the Capitol Rotunda when Buchanan took office; however, at some point during his term, as his popularity began to sink, it was removed. Mounted in a Rococo Revival gilt wood and gesso frame with ornamental projecting corners featuring ornate scrolling foliage patterns with centre repose engraved with sculptural shells & acanthus leaves and fleur-de-lis patterns.
On back: stencil "A. Armstrong Artist Lancaster, Pa. Painted 1846"
Pencil #3
July 17, 2017: Oil on canvas portrait has vertical seam. Seated man turned slight right with brown hair, not part. Brown eyes, prominent nose and chin. Black coat. black waistcoat, black neck wear, whit shirt with down-turned collar. Sitter's right arm draped over wooden chair back. Brown background.
July 24, 2017: Painting has extensive craqelure. On lapel just below center of painting has a 1/8 inch hole. A split 1/5" from his index finger and 2 " from bottom edge.
Frame: Back has moisture staining and soil. Front has strong grime. On right side near top is a marred spot. Gesso chips at both lower corners.
