James Buchanan

Copied Henry Dexter, James Buchanan, modeled ca. 1859, painted plaster, 24 1214 7811 78 in. (62.237.930.2 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum acquisition, XX4
Free to use

Artwork Details

Title
James Buchanan
Artist
Date
modeled ca. 1859
Dimensions
24 1214 7811 78 in. (62.237.930.2 cm)
Credit Line
Museum acquisition
Mediums
Mediums Description
painted plaster
Classifications
Keywords
  • Occupation — political — president
  • Portrait male — Buchanan, James — bust
Object Number
XX4

Artwork Description

When Henry Dexter set out to create his portrait gallery of the fifteenth U.S. president and all the governors, he began at the White House. Buchanan expressed surprise that a Massachusetts artist would want to sculpt him, since he was unpopular there. The artist reportedly said, “We have some crazy heads,” to which Buchanan replied, “All are.” Buchanan sat for Dexter in a room in the White House daily, and the president treated the ambitious artist with “great cordiality.” This bust was in the collection of Buchanan’s beloved niece and adopted daughter Harriet Lane Johnston at the time of her death.