Grover Cleveland [recto] 

Eastman Johnson made this pencil drawing of Grover Cleveland on a sheet of paper sometime in the late nineteenth century. This sketch is one of countless images circulating in the era of photographic reproduction. Consider the social role of portraiture at the time. Photography democratized the practice of image-making, but also placed new importance on the painted or drawn portrait as a marker of social distinction. Cleveland was a controversial figure who served as president in two non-consecutive terms, against a backdrop of rapid industrialization. So, we may ask, what kind of man does Johnson depict here? What qualities of leadership is he trying to capture? To answer these questions, scholars might consult newspapers, campaign pamphlets, and other visual depictions of Cleveland. By attending to this social and institutional context, we can better understand the politics of imagery at this time.