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Dolley Madison and Anna Payne

Dolley Madison and Anna Payne
Artist
Mathew B. Brady, 1823? - 15 Jan 1896
Sitter
Dolley Dandridge Payne Todd Madison, 20 May 1768 - 12 Jul 1849
Anna ("Annie") Payne Causten, 1819 - 9 Nov 1852
Date
c. 1848
Type
Photograph
Medium
Quarter-plate copy daguerreotype
Dimensions
Image: 8.5 x 6.3cm (3 3/8 x 2 1/2")
Case Open: 10.6 x 16.1 x 1cm (4 3/16 x 6 5/16 x 3/8")
Case Closed: 10.6 x 8 x 2cm (4 3/16 x 3 1/8 x 13/16")
Topic
Costume\Headgear\Hat
Cased object
Dolley Dandridge Payne Todd Madison: Female
Dolley Dandridge Payne Todd Madison: Politics and Government\First Lady\First Lady of US
Dolley Dandridge Payne Todd Madison: Society and Social Change\Socialite
Anna ("Annie") Payne Causten: Female
Portrait
Credit Line
National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; gift of Dortha Louise Dobson Adem Rogus, direct descendant of Dolley Madison
Restrictions & Rights
CC0
Object number
NPG.2006.92
Exhibition Label
Born near Guilford, North Carolina
One of the nation’s most memorable first ladies, Dolley Madison remained popular long after the presidency of her husband, James Madison (1809–17). When she returned as a widow to live in Washington in 1837, she was embraced as the grande dame of capital society.
Mathew Brady was understandably eager to secure a sitting with the venerable former first lady. He enlisted the aid of Washington-based newspaper editor Thomas Ritchie, who wrote to her in May 1848, urging that she pose for Brady’s camera. The appeal succeeded, and while visiting Washington that summer, Brady created several daguerreotypes of Dolley Madison, including this one with her niece, represented by this copy.
Nacida cerca de Guilford, North Carolina
Una de las más memorables primeras damas de la nación fue Dolley Madison, cuya popularidad se extendió mucho más allá del término presidencial de su esposo, James Madison (1809–17). Cuando, ya viuda, regresó a vivir a Washington en 1837, fue acogida como la gran dama de la sociedad capitalina.
Es comprensible que Mathew Brady ansiara obtener una sesión fotográfica con la venerable ex primera dama. Para ello reclutó la ayuda de Thomas Ritchie, editor de prensa radicado en Washington, quien escribió a Madison en mayo de 1848 para instarla a que posara para la cámara de Brady. La invitación tuvo éxito, y durante su visita a Washington aquel verano, Brady creó varios daguerrotipos de Dolley Madison, incluido esta con su sobrina, el representado en esta copia.
Data Source
National Portrait Gallery
Location
Currently not on view