Picture Archive & Historical Portraits
Skip to main content
  • Menu
  • Artists
  • Artworks
  • Image Licensing
  • Philip Mould Gallery
  • Contact
Menu
Portrait of Henry Clay (1777-1852), painted for his election campaign

Browse artworks

John Neagle, Portrait of Henry Clay (1777-1852), painted for his election campaign, 1842

John Neagle

Portrait of Henry Clay (1777-1852), painted for his election campaign, 1842
Oil on canvas
28 x 22 inches (71.1 x 55.9 cm)
Philip Mould & Co.
License Image
%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22artist%22%3EJohn%20Neagle%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22title_and_year%22%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_title%22%3EPortrait%20of%20Henry%20Clay%20%281777-1852%29%2C%20painted%20for%20his%20election%20campaign%3C/span%3E%2C%20%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_year%22%3E1842%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22medium%22%3EOil%20on%20canvas%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22dimensions%22%3E28%20x%2022%20inches%20%2871.1%20x%2055.9%20cm%29%3C/div%3E
To view all current artworks for sale visit philipmould.com  In 1842 the National Clay Club of Philadelphia commissioned the eminent portrait painter John Neagle to produce a full-length portrait...
Read more
To view all current artworks for sale visit philipmould.com

In 1842 the National Clay Club of Philadelphia commissioned the eminent portrait painter John Neagle to produce a full-length portrait of its patron, Henry Clay. The motivation behind the commission was the critical need to produce an image of the great politician which could be used in the Presidential election campaign of 1842-44. Previous attempts at a likeness had proved unsatisfactory, because as Harriet Martineau commented, No one has succeeded in catching the subtile (sic) expression of placid kindness, mingled with astuteness, which becomes visible to the eyes of those who are in daily intercourse with him.(l) Neagle attracted the best patronage in Philadelphia and was considered one of the finest portrait painters of the day, being likened in ability to Gilbert Stuart.
Close full details

Provenance

Colonel Clayton McMichael, Philadelphia
By family descent to Norton McMichael, Pennsylvannia Purchased from an agent of the family 1993

Exhibitions

Engraved
843 John Sartain (1808-97)
1844 Albert Newsam (1809-64)
1844 William Warner Jr. (c.1813-48)

Literature

The Papers of Henry Clay, 1959-, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Vol.IX, p.880
Share
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Tumblr
  • Email
Previous
|
Next
1378 
of  2014
PHILIP MOULD & COMPANY
CONTACT

+44 (0)20 7499 6818
art@philipmould.com

18-19 Pall Mall
London SW1Y 5LU

philipmould.com

FOLLOW US

Instagram

Facebook

TikTok

YouTube

Artsy

 

Join the mailing list
Manage cookies
Copyright © 2025 Picture Archive & Historical Portraits
Site by Artlogic

This website uses cookies
This site uses cookies to help make it more useful to you. Please contact us to find out more about our Cookie Policy.

Manage cookies
Accept

Cookie preferences

Check the boxes for the cookie categories you allow our site to use

Cookie options
Required for the website to function and cannot be disabled.
Improve your experience on the website by storing choices you make about how it should function.
Allow us to collect anonymous usage data in order to improve the experience on our website.
Allow us to identify our visitors so that we can offer personalised, targeted marketing.
Save preferences
Close

Be the first to hear about our available artworks

Interests *

Sign Up

* denotes required fields

We will process the personal data you have supplied in accordance with our privacy policy (available on request). You can unsubscribe or change your preferences at any time by clicking the link in our emails.