Object Details
Artist
Eastman Johnson, 29 Jul 1824 - 5 Apr 1906
Sitter
Grover Cleveland, 18 Mar 1837 - 24 Jun 1908
Exhibition Label
Twenty-second president, 1885–1889
Twenty-fourth president, 1893–1897
The first president to serve two nonconsecutive terms, Grover Cleveland vetoed more legislation in his first four years—414 bills—than any prior president. In his rejection of a bill providing seeds to drought-stricken farmers, he explained, “I do not believe that the power and duty of the general government ought to be extended to the relief of individual suffering.” Cleveland argued that it was better for Americans to come to the aid of their fellow citizens than for the government to provide such assistance.
Cleveland lost his 1888 reelection bid to Benjamin Harrison but defeated him four years later and returned to the White House. Shortly before his second inauguration, the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad experienced financial collapse, signaling the start of the Panic of 1893. The severe economic depression that followed would mar his second term.
This is Eastman Johnson’s earliest portrait of Cleveland. The noted painter, who cofounded the Metropolitan Museum of Art, modestly wrote, “It turned out as well, I think, as anything I do.”
22do presidente, 1885–1889
24to presidente, 1893–1897
Grover Cleveland, primer presidente que sirvió dos términos no consecutivos, vetó más legislación en sus primeros cuatro años (414 proyectos de ley) que ningún presidente anterior. Al rechazar una ley para distribuir semillas a agricultores afectados por la sequía, explicó: “No creo que los poderes y obligaciones del gobierno general deban ampliarse para aliviar el sufrimiento individual”. Alegaba que era mejor que los estadounidenses ayudaran a sus conciudadanos en vez de que el gobierno lo hiciera.
Cleveland perdió la reelección en 1888 ante Benjamin Harrison, pero lo derrotó cuatro años después y regresó a la Casa Blanca. Poco antes de su segunda investidura, el Ferrocarril Philadelphia and Reading sufrió un desplome financiero, presagiando el inicio del Pánico de 1893. La grave depresión eco- nómica que siguió empañaría su segundo mandato.
Este es el primer retrato de Cleveland realizado por Eastman Johnson. El reconocido pintor, cofundador del Metropolitan Museum of Art, escribió con modestia que: “Resultó tan bien, creo, como cualquier otra obra mía”.
Provenance
Francis G. Cleveland, Tamworth, N.H., son of the sitter; gift 1971 to NPG.
Credit Line
National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; gift of Frances G. Cleveland
Date
1884
Object number
NPG.71.58
Restrictions & Rights
CC0
Type
Painting
Medium
Oil on artist board
Dimensions
Frame: 74.9 x 64.5 x 6.4 cm (29 1/2 x 25 3/8 x 2 1/2")
Board: 53.8 × 43 × 0.3 cm (21 3/16 × 16 15/16 × 1/8")
See more items in
National Portrait Gallery Collection
Exhibition
America's Presidents - Current
On View
NPG, West Gallery 210
Data Source
National Portrait Gallery
Topic
Personal Attribute\Facial Hair\Mustache
Costume\Dress Accessory\Neckwear\Tie\Bowtie
Grover Cleveland: Male
Grover Cleveland: Law and Crime\Lawyer
Grover Cleveland: Politics and Government\Government official\Governor\New York
Grover Cleveland: Law and Crime\Police\Sheriff
Grover Cleveland: Politics and Government\Government official\President of US
Grover Cleveland: Arts and Culture\Education and Scholarship\Administrator\University administrator\University trustee
Grover Cleveland: Politics and Government\Government official\Public official\Mayor\Buffalo, NY
Portrait
Link to Original Record
Record ID
npg_NPG.71.58