Thomas Benton, Senator from Missouri c. 1840

Curator: Here we have a lithograph from around 1840, titled "Thomas Benton, Senator from Missouri." It's by Charles Fenderich and offers a formal depiction of its subject. Editor: My first thought? Impressive gravity, but also… slightly askew. The fellow looks a bit like he's about to share a scandalous secret rather than pontificate on policy. Curator: Fenderich worked at a time when printmaking allowed for wider dissemination of images and ideas. Think of the power of a portrait like this – it shapes the public’s understanding of who Senator Benton was. How he wished to be seen, perhaps. Editor: Shaped? Maybe. But the slight bulge under his coat makes him feel more like a character, and less like the carved marble seriousness often favored. He’s someone you might share a drink with… carefully. It humanizes the figure despite its academic leanings. Curator: Yes, although that humanizing aspect needs context. Academic art emphasized structure, rationality, and public virtue. Fenderich would've been attempting to legitimize Benton through classical artistic norms, regardless of little stylistic blips. Editor: Agreed, that tension is palpable. You can almost see the artist wrestling with that seriousness! But still, I find it oddly inviting. Portraits of politicians today seem to focus solely on polish, rarely revealing—or even allowing—these little imperfections. This feels strangely candid, like we have captured an actual moment. Curator: That perceived candor serves its purpose. During the mid-19th century, accessible imagery became a battleground for popular opinion. By creating accessible images of public figures, the public could then make choices in terms of politics with more knowledge. Editor: A thought-provoking piece—not just a portrait, but a small drama on paper. A clash between the ideal and the human that leaves me pondering on who Benton was and who he wanted the public to believe him to be. Curator: Precisely. A successful piece indeed for reminding us of that fine, ever-present line between persona and reality.