Henry Clay 1843

Theodore Sidney Moise painted this oil on canvas portrait of Henry Clay, the Kentucky politician, at an unknown date. Clay’s stance and clothing reflect the image of a dignified statesman, a cultivated elite. The presence of a walking cane and a landscape background are intended to reflect Clay's social position and personal refinement. This portrait makes a statement about the social and political elite of the time. As a historical object, the painting can tell us something about social values and how political power was conceived in the United States during the 19th century. Historians look at portraits such as this one as evidence of the social world and the power structures that surrounded the sitter. By researching sources such as letters, diaries, newspapers, and other documents, we can develop a rich picture of the American social and political landscape of the time.