Left earlobe has broken off. Base is chipped. Various smudge marks all over.
Object ID
W.1960.006.001
Notes
James Buchanan Henry inherited this bust when his Uncle James Buchanan died; his cousin, Harriet Lane Johnston inherited the matching bust, which she later donated to the Corcoran Gallery of Art.
James Buchanan Henry bequeathed this bust to his son, Frank Anderson Henry, who donated it to the James Buchanan Foundation in 1960.
Print of portrait of President James Buchanan. Buchanan stands in center, facing left with his right hand on a small book that rests on a table. Behind him is an upholstered chair with an eagle and shield on the seatback.
Watercolor portrait of James Buchanan in profile, facing left. He wears a black coat and waistcoat, pale tan shirt with high, very white collar, and soft tie or cravat. His white hair is styled high at the crown and combed back on the sides. Very pale blue eye. Delicate grey and tan washes over background. Portrait is an 8.75in x 6.75in oval created by reverse painted glass. The glass is painted black with gold semi ellipses and diamonds arranged to create a sunburst like effect. The glass is 10in x 8in.
The reverse is inscribed "James Buchanan drawn from life at Wheatland February 10th 1866." Inscription is under a 10.75in x 8.75in piece of glass that has been built into the back of the frame. Some damage has occured from nails scratching the back of the frame upon hanging.
The frame is 3in wide, painted gold in alternating bands of shiny cool toned gold and matte or brushed warm toned gold. Losses around the edges reveal plaster, ochre and black or dark grey paint under the gold. Top edge of the frame is black either from paint or dirt.
Provenance
Descended in an Eastern Shore, Maryland family, purchased in 1948.
overall dimensions provided. See description for component dimensions.
Condition
Good
Condition Date
2016-05-11
Condition Notes
loss of gold paint on outer edge of frame. Dents and chips on frame. Discoloration on gold frame, possibly from tape or stickers. Loss of paint on glass at left side and upper right corner.
Waist-up portrait of James Buchanan, Jr. with brown hair combed back and brushed forward at ear. Wearing dark brown coat, white vest with gold buttons, olive green/aqua tie with gold stick pin with ruby head. The portrait is mounted in a Regency caveto moulded gilt gesso frame with beaded border with projecting corners ornately adorned scrolling foliage patterns with fleur-de-lis patterns. James Buchanan, Jr. was the Private Secretary to the President of the United States.
Provenance
Edward Y. Buchanan
to Maria Buchanan Cassatt
to her granddaughter, Katherine S. de Spoelberch (the donor, Mrs. Eric) grand-niece of James Buchanan, Jr.
A Regency caveto moulded gilt gesso frame with beaded border with projecting corners ornately adorned scrolling foliage patterns with fleur-de-lis patterns.
Object Name
Painting
Material
Paint/Canvas/Wood
Height (in)
36.875
Width (in)
32
Condition
Good
Condition Date
2003-10-20
Object ID
W.1945.002.001
Notes
James Buchanan, Jr. was the first born child to Reverend Edward Young Buchanan and Ann Eliza Foster Buchanan. He served as the Private Secretary to President James Buchanan, his uncle, after his cousin, James Buchanan Henry resigned the position in 1859.
Stormy scene; water in foreground, land to center, back and left. Norman Castle is on top of cliffs. Two smaller buildings at shore level below castle. Wrecked ship against cliffs. Four smaller figures on cliff. Sea is rough with high waves.
'Chepstow (Beaufort Arms; George), a town with 2,953 inhabitants, on the west bank of the Wye, is a station on the G.W.R. and a good centre for excursions.
Inscription Type
Paper Tag
Frame
H: 49.50 inches x W: 63.25 inches. Rococo Revival gilt wood and gesso
Object Name
Painting
Material
Paint/Canvas/Wood
Medium
Painting, Oil
Height (in)
49.5
Width (in)
63.25
Condition
Good
Condition Date
2003-10-21
Condition Notes
Paint is cracking in areas
Object ID
W.1950.003.001
Notes
Text Found on Reverse of Painting- 'Chepstow (Beaufort Arms; George), a town with 2,953 inhabitants, on the west bank of the Wye, is a station on the G.W.R. and a good centre for excursions.
James Buchanan shown from waist up, sitting in red upholstered chair. Wearing black suit, white shirt and white bow tie, high collar. Eyes looking right and body turned to left. Right hands holds document-may be the constitution. See notes for letter rem
Provenance
William McMaster
To - Mrs. C.E. McMaster (wife of)
To - Edward Y. Buchanan (1/1892)
To - Mrs. Eric DelSpoelberch (great-granddaughter of E. Buchanan)
Painting is very dirty; requires cleaning 05/31/2023
Gesso & wood frame is damaged in several areas requires conservation.
Object ID
W.1945.001.001
Notes
The following original letter is in the accession folder. Letter from back of Painting: ' Phila. Jan. 1892 - This is the original portrait of James Buchanan painted by Wm. E. MacMaster of New York in July 1856, by personal sittings given him during his stay at Wheatland.
Oval picture set in rectangular frame. James Buchanan is shown wearing a blue jacket with white buttons, tan vest, and white shirt and tie. Hair is brown. 3/4 front and turned to his left. Frame has scroll-work inlay, black and red. Back of frame is 'Lou
Black, grey and white chalk drawing on white medium. Image of James Buchanan's upper body, facing slightly to his right wearing dark suit, white shirt and stock collar with a white cravat. Buchanan's hair is dark with gray mixing in with his darker color. The image's matt is a cream color, Frame is gilded with bevelled and curved edge, gesso layer under paint.
Three-quarter length painting of Buchanan in black frock coat, high white collar and stock. Signed 'Matilda Mueden, Leiseuring, 1922' Painted by Wm. M. Chase at the White House from an old engraving.
Picture of Buchanan's birthplace. Rectangular gilded frame concave cyma and convex molded. Only front edges of frame gilded. Mitred joints attached with small nails and glue. Extra nail holes indicate that extant nails are not original. Greyish-tan mat.
Sample, needlepoint. Long, thin, with rounded ends. Silk satin backing, cream. A suspender? Lined with chintz. Needlepoint has roses in pink, yellows, and reds, white; with leaves in green. Roses are shown in full bloom and in bud form. Basically crossst
Cut paper picture. Oval center with bust of Buchanan 'This calligraphic likeness is composed of the telegraphic messages of Queen Victoria and President Buchanan' written around bust with 'James Buchanan' underneath. Picture is mostly punched-out paper
Engraving of James Buchanan. Tinted engraving. James Buchanan stands 3/4 front to his left at center of picture dressed in a black suit with white tie. James Buchanan has left hand resting on upright brown book on table to his left. Table has round top with green baize cloth.
J. C. Buttre, 48 Franklin St., New York, New York.
Linen needlework picture. Woven linen for embroidery. Linen tapes sewn along two shorter ends. Yarn needlework floral and foliate decoration. Two-tone pink flowers with yellow-orange centers and brown and green leaves along borders. Central design is fou
Base wood with torus molding edge. Flat top with deep circular groove in which rests the edges of a tall glass dome. Natural arrangement under dome rests on base. Dried flowers support central mud-daubed bird's nest with light blue, speckled eggs (6) two
Copy of painting of Harriet Lane. Brownish-green background, lighter to lower right. Harriet Lane is seated, torso 1/4 to her left, head facing forward. Right hand in lap holding handle of gold fan. Left hand holding white handkerchief resting on table top.
Donor commissioned copy based on original portrait by G. C. Munzig in 1899. Original portrait gifted to Mr. Speer through his aunt, Mary Clarke Speer Denny, who was a companion to Harriet Lane Johnston. This copy was painted by Ted Morrow of Baltimore, Maryland. He also painted two other copies.
Black and white print of James Buchanan. Background is half wall with two pillars above, swag of drapery. Floor has alternating pattern of scrollwork and flowers. Ornate oval-back armchair with fringe at arms and eagle worked into upholstery on back, jus
Print of Queen Victoria. Frame is black, painted wood, round, with heavy moulding. Picture has reddish-tinted background. Victoria wearing jewelled crown; long, heavy earrings, necklace. Brownish-red hair and blueish eyes. Copper twisted wire attached
4 1/4" diameter circular wood frame painted black on front. Glass covers the drawing of Queen Victoria with gold-colored crown and dangling earrings.
Opening is back with black paper. Eyebolt holding a metal/wire ring on center back at top for hanging.
Small but wide and deep ogee molded gilt frame. (Shadow-box frame of gold leaf?) Picture quite small in comparison. Shows young man, blonde hair with blue eyes, wearing high collar, white tie, black suit. Blue background. A miniature of John L. Lane, unc
Engraving of James Buchanan. Simple rounded front rectangular frame. Print is on paper showing bust of James Buchanan in white tie, high collar, dark suit, lighter vest. James Buchanan's signature at bottom with 'President of the United States' below.