This painting was completed by phineas Staunton (18 17- 167) nearly a century and a half ago. It is the henry clay of the United States Senate, almost forgotten and left to rot in the basement in northern new york. Now, after 17 months of restoration, it has found a home in the most beautiful place of the Capitol. "I never thought I would see this day," said Diane Skavara, director of the US Senate. We not only rediscovered this painting, but also rediscovered its beauty. "This portrait was officially unveiled on September 23rd. Richard allen Baker said: "Clay deserves such recognition because he has an eternal and deserved connection with the art promised by law." Former American Senate historian.
Clay's career in Congress lasted nearly 40 years. He served Kentucky and achieved excellent results in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. Starting from 1825, he made a detour for four years when john quincy adams was Secretary of State. He also ran for the presidency five times, and was nominated by the party three times in 1824, 1832 and 1844 respectively. Clay was the founder of Whig Party and one of the first major politicians who advocated expanding federal power. He believes that expanding the role of * * * will promote the "security, convenience and prosperity" of the American people. As we all know, Clay's eloquence, wit and sweet voice will move the audience to tears. The audience packed the Senate Chamber to hear his speech. Reporter Oliver Dale recalled: "When he put forward one proposition after another with more and more energy and * * *, his tall posture seemed to get higher and higher with each new proposition until he reached a supernatural height ... His eyes sparkled and his hair fluttered wildly on his head; His long arm swept through the air; Every line, the expression on his face sparkled until onlookers could imagine that he saw a great soul burning.
Clay's political talent was obvious from the beginning. 1806, he was first appointed as a senator. At that time, he was 29 years old, younger than the legal age of 30. He is a charming member of the Kentucky legislature. 18 1 1 year, he successfully ran for the house of representatives, which was considered to be the more important of the two institutions at that time, and was elected as the speaker on the first day of Congress, which is the only such example in American history. Robert V. Remini, a historian of the US House of Representatives and author of henry clay: A Federal Politician, said: "The founder thought the speaker was a traffic policeman." Clay made it the most powerful position after the president, controlling legislation and gloves, so that institutions can really complete their tasks. "His ability to create commitments has repeatedly pulled this country back from local crises and possible divisions. 1820, Missouri will soon be accepted as a state, which may undermine the stability of the Federation. Slavery is the key to the problem. Although Clay himself was a slave owner, he opposed the expansion of slavery in principle. ("I think slavery is a curse-a curse to the master, a mistake to the slave, a serious mistake," he later declared. Nevertheless, he still believes that slavery is legal and vital to the southern economy. He thinks that those who advocate immediate liberation are "sentimental people". "He declared that he believed in gradual liberation and eventually sent the liberated slaves back to Africa. But what he believes most is the survival of the Federation. Missouri people have made it clear that they intend to join the slave-holding state. When the north rebelled, the south began to talk about division and even civil war. Clay exerted all his mediation abilities. William Plummer Jr, a congressman from New Hampshire, wrote, "He didn't use threats or insults, but was gentle, humble and persuasive. He begged, guided and begged us to have mercy on the people of Missouri. "However, those who refused to fulfill their promises experienced Clay's anger, calling it" much cry and little rain ". Clay drafted an agreement with daniel webster, Massachusetts and john caldwell calhoun, South Carolina. Missouri would be recognized as a slave-holding state, and it would be balanced by Maine, a new free state. Louisiana in western Missouri will draw a line: the northern state will be recognized as a free state; Southern states will allow slavery. Clay's achievements were praised by the admirers of Congress and the press as "the great pacifist" and "the second Washington".
It was in his long Senate career that he was interrupted for seven years from 183 1 to 1852 and 1840s, which left him the deepest impression. Baker said, "He is one of the most influential senators in American history." He has foresight, wisdom and personality, which is a rare combination. "In 1833, Clay played an important role in resolving the conflict between the Federation and South Carolina, which threatened to" repeal "the federal laws it had not ratified.
It can be said that Clay's greatest moment in the legislative stage occurred in 1850. When the southern States seemed to be on the verge of withdrawing because California was recognized as a free state, the balance of the Senate broke the balance of the south for the first time. Klein, 72 years old, hunchbacked and suffering from tuberculosis, took his life within two years. He delivered an epic speech for two days. He urged a complicated "acquisition plan" to win concessions from all sides. He finally implored the trade union enthusiastically to join. ""I am directly opposed to any purpose of division or separation, "he declared that I am here and I will stand here and die. The only choice is war and the free death of all people. He begged northerners to "stop solemnly like southerners and stop at the edge of the cliff before a terrible and disastrous jump into the abyss below."
Although Clay himself would be exhausted before the measures he advocated came out, he created a far-sighted commitment framework. California will be recognized as a free state; In order to appease the south, Utah and New Mexico are not allowed to ban slavery (or explicitly legalize slavery). As abolitionists hoped, the slave trade would end in Washington, DC; But a tough new law will severely punish anyone who dares to help runaway slaves and make it easier for slave owners to recover their personal property. "Clay asserted:" I believe from the bottom of my soul that this move is the reunification of this alliance. At that time,
"This commitment is widely regarded as the ultimate solution to the problem of slavery. Of course not. But it did avoid division in the next decade. " "If 1860 Clay were still alive, there would be no civil war," Remini said. He will ask a series of detailed questions. He always seems to know what to do. He understands that each side must get something, lose something, and no one can get all the marbles.
Although phineas Staunton was trained at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts in Philadelphia, he met Clay. It was not until 1865 that he presented a book in memory of Clay that the painter created a portrait of the senator and published it by Kentucky. Staunton described Clay in the compromise debate of 1850. Staunton failed to win by 4 votes to 3. Rumor has it that Staunton absorbed the Northern Councillors, which led to his failure. )
This painting was transported by American Airlines to Staunton's hometown, Leroy, new york, near Rochester. At the same time, Stanton signed a contract with the South American fossil collection expedition sponsored by the Smithsonian Institution as an illustrator. 1867 died of tropical fever in Ecuador in September, at the age of 49.
Until 190 1, henry clay of the United States Senate worked in an art school in Leroy, and later worked in a local public school for decades. Clay became the target of beans, paper balls and basketball, leaving dents and a tearful moon scene on the canvas. In 1950s, this painting was sent to the basement of Leroy Historical Society warehouse, which contained a carriage, a cast iron stove and a Cadillac made by 1908. Then, in June 5438 +2006 10, Lynn Berusio, director of the association, received a phone call from Amy Elizabeth Burton, an art historian in the curator's office of the United States Senate. Burton learned about this painting from Staunton's descendants. Did the Association show Clay's portrait in the Senate? "
Burton soon boarded the plane to Leroy. There, she found that the canvas was torn and peeled off, so dirty that many people couldn't recognize it. "It was covered with mud," Burton recalled. It's broken and spotted. But clay's face showed his deadly eyes. All I can think of is,' Oh, my God, this is an art historian's dream, it's true!' The significance of this painting is obvious: it is one of the few works that record the old Senate chamber. 1859 After the expansion of the Capitol, the Senate Chamber was occupied by the Supreme Court until 1935. Burton asked, will history consider giving up Staunton's works? Berlusconi recalled: "It only takes one nanosecond to say yes. "
The restoration work began in June 2008 and ended in May this year. "It's one of the biggest paintings I've ever seen, and in the worst case, it's probably the worst I've ever seen," said Peter Nelsen, a senior manager at the Randolph restoration company in Maryland. "Parts as small as one square inch should be repaired, one at a time, totaling *** 1 1000 square inch." "This is the most challenging work we have ever created," Nelson added. It keeps me awake at night.
Gradually, some characters began to emerge from the background: legendary speaker daniel webster; Abolitionist william henry seward; The combative thomas hart benton of Missouri; Stephen Douglas of Illinois, the "little giant", finalized the promise of 1850 after the collapse of the Kentucky senator. In the middle stood Clay, whose face was deified by Staunton, emitting extraordinary light.
People can't help asking, what will Clay do in the face of today's fierce confrontation in the aisle of Congress? "Our remarks pale in comparison with early American history," said Senator Mitch McConnell, a former lifelong admirer of Kentucky. From 65438 to 2004, McConnell sat at Clay's Senate desk. (James Paul David Jim Bunning, a junior senator from Kentucky, is currently working here. ) "The promise he made is the life and death of the country. At that time, not everyone was sure that this country would last. If you want to control yourself, you must learn to promise. You either get something or get nothing; If you want something, you must promise. "
Senator Charles Schumer from new york agrees that henry clay's talent has pulled us back from the brink of disaster many times, and Clay's painting hangs in one of the most symbolic moments. I hope this will remind all of us in the Senate that a bipartisan agreement can help us become a more prosperous country.
Feargus Baldwin's latest book is Washington: The Establishment of American Capital.
Henry clay, the founder of Whig Party, was one of the first major politicians who advocated expanding federal power. (Library of Congress) phineas Staunton pays tribute to his theme henry clay on the canvas of 1 1×7 feet. (American Senate Arts Committee) Although phineas Staunton had seen Clay, the painter would not believe the senator's portrait until 1865, when he participated in a book in memory of Clay announced by Kentucky. (Private Collection) Mrs. Staunton founded the Staunton Art Institute in Leroy, new york. This 1872 stereogram shows a new portrait of henry clay, which was installed in Staunton Art Institute. (Leroy Historical Society) The portrait of henry clay before restoration. The portrait of henry clay has been renovated recently. Protector peter nielsen said, "This is the most challenging painting we have ever created. It keeps me awake at night with anxiety. " This painting has been left in the basement for decades, and it is seriously damaged. Henry clay's portrait returned to the Capitol in May this year after 17 months of restoration. After 17 months of restoration, the painting and the frame were reunited. For Amy E. Burton in the Senate, the unexpected discovery of this painting is that "an art historian's dream is real." (Susanna Rab)