Daniel Webster

Book Description

Boston: Published by R. Andrews, 116 Washington St. Boston, circa 1850. Mixed method engraving with added hand-colour. Printed on heavy wove paper. In excellent condition with the exception of a tear along the right margin. Image size: 25 1/8 x 17 1/8 inches. 29 x 19 7/8 inches. 29 5/8 x 21 1/4 inches. A handsome portrait of Daniel Webster, one of America's most noted orators. This dramatic, mixed-method engraving was executed by Joseph Andrews and H. W. Smith after a portrait of Daniel Webster by Chester Harding. Now housed in the Boston Athenaeum, Harding's painting of Webster is considered one of the finest portraits of this great orator. During his much-hailed career, Webster became one of the nation's best speechwriters. He was appointed Secretary of State under three presidents, and enjoyed a long and distinguished career as a politician in the Senate. Webster's speeches made him a household name during the nineteenth century and his words gave a voice to America's political ideology and helped to shape the language of our nation's ideals. Joseph Andrews and H. W. Smith were both noted portrait engravers who worked in association with each other in Boston in 1850. The artistic pairing of Andrews and Smith resulted in many superb engravings, most noted of which is this distinguished portrait of Webster, which is regarded as one of their finest plates. Stauffer, American Engravers on copper and Steel Vol. I, p. 10-11, 251.

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