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Reconstruction

Reconstruction
Artist
J. L. Giles, active c. 1861 - 1881
Copy after
Horatio Bateman
Publisher
Francis Ratellier
Sitter
John Caldwell Calhoun, 18 Mar 1782 - 31 Mar 1850
Daniel Webster, 18 Jan 1782 - 24 Oct 1852
Robert Edward Lee, 19 Jan 1807 - 12 Oct 1870
Ulysses Simpson Grant, 27 Apr 1822 - 23 Jul 1885
Horace Greeley, 3 Feb 1811 - 29 Nov 1872
Jefferson Davis, 3 Jun 1808 - 6 Dec 1889
Date
1867
Type
Print
Medium
Lithograph on paper
Dimensions
Image: 50.1 × 64.3 cm (19 3/4 × 25 5/16")
Sheet: 57.5 × 74.2 cm (22 5/8 × 29 3/16")
Mat (Verified): 66 × 81.3 cm (26 × 32")
Topic
Jefferson Davis: Male
Jefferson Davis: Literature\Writer
Jefferson Davis: Natural Resource Occupations\Agriculturist\Farmer
Jefferson Davis: Military and Intelligence\Soldier
Jefferson Davis: Politics and Government\Confederate President
Jefferson Davis: Politics and Government\US Congressman\Mississippi
Jefferson Davis: Politics and Government\US Senator\Mississippi
Jefferson Davis: Politics and Government\Cabinet member\Secretary of War
Jefferson Davis: Politics and Government\Governor\Mississippi
Robert Edward Lee: Male
Robert Edward Lee: Military and Intelligence\Army\Officer\Civil War\Confederate Army
Robert Edward Lee: Education and Scholarship\Administrator\College administrator\President
John Caldwell Calhoun: Male
John Caldwell Calhoun: Law and Crime\Lawyer
John Caldwell Calhoun: Politics and Government\Vice-President of US
John Caldwell Calhoun: Politics and Government\Cabinet member\Secretary of War
John Caldwell Calhoun: Education and Scholarship\Scholar\Philosopher
John Caldwell Calhoun: Politics and Government\Cabinet member\Secretary of State
John Caldwell Calhoun: Politics and Government\US Congressman\South Carolina
John Caldwell Calhoun: Politics and Government\US Senator\South Carolina
Horace Greeley: Male
Horace Greeley: Politics and Government\Presidential candidate
Horace Greeley: Journalism and Media\Magazine publisher
Horace Greeley: Journalism and Media\Newspaper publisher
Horace Greeley: Journalism and Media\Journalist\Reporter\Newspaper
Horace Greeley: Society and Social Change\Reformer\Abolitionist
Daniel Webster: Male
Daniel Webster: Law and Crime\Lawyer
Daniel Webster: Politics and Government\US Congressman\Massachusetts
Daniel Webster: Politics and Government\Cabinet member\Secretary of State
Daniel Webster: Politics and Government\US Senator\Massachusetts
Daniel Webster: Politics and Government\US Congressman\New Hampshire
Daniel Webster: Education and Scholarship\Orator
Ulysses Simpson Grant: Male
Ulysses Simpson Grant: Natural Resource Occupations\Agriculturist\Farmer
Ulysses Simpson Grant: Politics and Government\Cabinet member\Secretary of War
Ulysses Simpson Grant: Military and Intelligence\Army\Officer\Civil War
Ulysses Simpson Grant: Military and Intelligence\Army\Officer\General
Ulysses Simpson Grant: Politics and Government\President of US
Ulysses Simpson Grant: Congressional Gold Medal
Portrait
Credit Line
National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution
Restrictions & Rights
CC0
Object number
NPG.87.216
Exhibition Label
In 1867, in the wake of horrific racial violence in the South, the New York artist John Lawrence Giles engraved this hopeful vision of the peaceful and unified nation that would result from Reconstruction. The designer and publisher, Horatio Bateman, issued an explanatory booklet to help interpret the complex allegory.
The structure at the center represents the United States, shown in the process of reconstruction. Teams of citizens carry back missing columns that had formerly rested on foundations of slavery, to be re-erected on bases of justice, liberty, and education. John C. Calhoun, Daniel Webster, and other historical figures observe from the heavens, with Jesus Christ floating above them and female personifications of Justice and Liberty at left and right. Scenes of racial harmony and political reconciliation fill the foreground while thriving communities dot the panoramic background. More than 150 years on, the aspirational national vision portrayed by Giles remains under construction.
En 1867, tras un período de terrible violencia racial en el sur, el artista neoyorquino John Lawrence Giles plasmó en grabado esta visión esperanzadora de una nación unida y en paz, que sería el resultado de la Reconstrucción. El diseñador y editor, Horatio Bateman, hizo un folleto explicativo para interpretar la compleja alegoría.
La estructura del centro representa a Estados Unidos en el proceso de la reconstrucción. Varios grupos de ciudadanos devuelven columnas antes apoyadas en los cimientos de la esclavitud, para ahora colocarlas sobre cimientos de justicia, libertad y educación. John C. Calhoun, Daniel Webster y otras figuras históricas observan desde el cielo mientras Jesucristo flota sobre ellos con personificaciones femeninas de la Justicia y la Libertad a izquierda y derecha. En primer plano vemos escenas de armonía racial y reconciliación política, mientras el fondo ofrece un panorama de prósperas comunidades.
Más de 150 años después, la visión nacional soñada por Giles continúa en construcción.
Data Source
National Portrait Gallery
Exhibition
Out of Many: Portraits from 1600 to 1900
On View
NPG, East Gallery 123