Object Details
Artist
Anders Leonard Zorn, 18 Feb 1860 - 1920
Sitter
Grover Cleveland, 18 Mar 1837 - 24 Jun 1908
Exhibition Label
Grover Cleveland, the first president to serve two nonconsecutive terms, vetoed more legislation than any prior president, earning the nickname “Old Veto.” He believed in a “hands-off” government and often rejected bills that favored individual groups. For instance, he vetoed what he thought were unnecessary pension bills for Civil War veterans. After being ousted from office in 1889 by Benjamin Harrison, Cleveland returned to the presidency four years later, but the Panic of 1893 plagued his second term. He had to call on federal troops to suppress labor unrest and did not succeed in restoring the nation’s economy.
Swedish artist Anders Zorn portrayed numerous statesmen and society figures during his frequent trips to the United States. He painted this portrait in 1899, two years after Cleveland had completed his second term. The sittings took place at the former president’s estate in Princeton, New Jersey, where the artist and subject bantered happily for several days. Cleveland expressed satisfaction with this portrait, declaring, “As for my ugly mug, I think the artist has ‘struck it off’ in great shape.”
Grover Cleveland, primer presidente que sirvió dos términos no consecutivos, vetó más leyes que ningún presidente anterior, lo que le ganó el apodo de “Old Veto”. Creía que el gobierno debería interferir lo menos posible y rechazaba proyectos de ley que favorecían a grupos específicos. Por ejemplo, vetó proyectos tocantes a las pensiones de los veteranos de la Guerra Civil, juzgándolos innecesarios. Luego de perder la presidencia en 1889 ante Benjamin Harrison, Cleveland regresó al cargo cuatro años más tarde, pero la depresión económica conocida como el Pánico de 1893 azotó su segundo término. Tuvo que recurrir a las tropas federales para contener los disturbios laborales y no logró restaurar la economía.
El artista sueco Anders Zorn retrató a numerosos estadistas y figuras de sociedad durante sus frecuentes viajes a Estados Unidos. Realizó esta pintura en 1899, dos años después de que Cleveland completara su segundo término. Las sesiones tuvieron lugar en la residencia del expresidente en Princeton, Nueva Jersey, donde el artista y el modelo charlaron amenamente varios días. Cleveland expresó satisfacción con el retrato: “En cuanto a mi cara fea, creo que el artista la captó de maravilla”.
Provenance
The sitter; his son, Richard Cleveland, Baltimore; Rev. Thomas G. Cleveland, Milton, Mass.; gift 1977 to NPG
Credit Line
National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; gift of the Reverend Thomas G. Cleveland
Date
1899
Object number
NPG.77.229
Restrictions & Rights
CC0
Type
Painting
Medium
Oil on canvas
Dimensions
Frame: 160 x 129.5 x 12.1cm (63 x 51 x 4 3/4")
Stretcher: 121.8 × 91.4cm (47 15/16 × 36")
See more items in
National Portrait Gallery Collection
Location
Currently not on view
Data Source
National Portrait Gallery
Topic
Interior
Home Furnishings\Furniture\Seating\Chair
Printed Material\Book
Home Furnishings\Furniture\Table
Architecture\Window
Costume\Jewelry\Chain
Costume\Dress Accessory\Eyeglasses\Pince-nez
Costume\Dress Accessory\Neckwear\Tie\Bowtie
Costume\Jewelry\Watch\Pocket watch
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.77.229