Object Details
Artist
George Peter Alexander Healy, 15 Jul 1813 - 24 Jun 1894
Sitter
Millard Fillmore, 7 Jan 1800 - 8 Mar 1874
Exhibition Label
Thirteenth president, 1850–1853
Every U.S. president since Millard Fillmore has been affiliated with either the Republican or the Democratic party. Fillmore, though, was a member of the center-right Whig party, a group that sought to reverse many of President Andrew Jackson’s policies.
As Zachary Taylor’s vice president (1849–50), Fillmore presided over the Senate’s increasingly volatile debates on the Compromise of 1850, which he privately supported. When he ascended to the presidency upon Taylor’s death, he worked with senators to push through this complex bundle of laws, notably the Fugitive Slave Act. Fillmore’s enforcement of the new Fugitive Slave Act cost him the support of many Northern Whigs, and the party eventually nominated General Winfield Scott as its candidate, denying Fillmore the possibility of winning a term of his own.
The prominent portraitist George Peter Alexander Healy later painted this likeness from life, probably as a study for the full-length portrait of Fillmore in the White House Collection.
13er presidente, 1850–1853
Todos los presidentes de EE.UU., después de Millard Fillmore, han estado afiliados ya sea al Partido Republicano o al Demócrata. Fillmore perteneció al partido centroderechista Whig, que buscaba revertir muchas de las políticas públicas del president Andrew Jackson.
Como vicepresidente de Zachary Taylor (1849–50), Fillmore presidió los acalorados debates del Senado en torno al Compromiso de 1850, que él apoyaba en privado. Al asumir la presidencia cuando murió Taylor, Fillmore colaboró con diversos senadores para impulsar este complejo paquete legislativo, sobre todo la Ley de Esclavos Fugitivos. La implantación de dicha ley le costó el respaldo de muchos whigs del norte, y el partido nominó al general Winfield Scott como candidato presidencial, negando a Fillmore la posibilidad de ganar por sí mismo la presidencia mediante elección.
El prominente retratista George Peter Alexander Healy pintó del natural esta imagen de Fillmore, quizás como estudio para el retrato de cuerpo entero perteneciente a la colección de la Casa Blanca.
Provenance
Thomas B. Bryan, Chicago [1861-1876]; Purchased by the Corcoran Gallery of Art, 1879; Gift to NPG, 2019.
Credit Line
National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; gift from the Trustees of the Corcoran Gallery of Art (Museum Purchase, Gallery Fund) The Corcoran Gallery of Art, one of the country’s first private museums, was established in 1869 to promote art and American genius. In 2014 the Works from the Corcoran Collection were distributed to institutions in Washington, D.C.
Date
December 2, 1857
Object number
NPG.2019.17
Restrictions & Rights
CC0
Type
Painting
Medium
Oil on canvas
Dimensions
Stretcher: 76.2 × 63.5 cm (30 × 25")
Frame: 100.3 × 62.2 × 12.1 cm (39 1/2 × 24 1/2 × 4 3/4")
Sight: 74.5 × 61.4 cm (29 5/16 × 24 3/16")
See more items in
National Portrait Gallery Collection
Exhibition
America's Presidents - Current
On View
NPG, South Gallery 240
Data Source
National Portrait Gallery
Topic
Nature & Environment\Plant
Interior\Interior with Exterior View
Costume\Dress Accessory\Neckwear\Tie
Costume\Outerwear\Coat\Jacket
Millard Fillmore: Male
Millard Fillmore: Politics and Government\Government official\State Legislator\New York
Millard Fillmore: Law and Crime\Lawyer
Millard Fillmore: Politics and Government\Vice-President of US
Millard Fillmore: Politics and Government\Government official\President of US
Millard Fillmore: Arts and Culture\Education and Scholarship\Administrator\University administrator\Chancellor
Millard Fillmore: Politics and Government\Government official\US Congressman\New York
Portrait
Link to Original Record
Record ID
npg_NPG.2019.17