Post-Revolutionary War to Civil War
DANIEL WEBSTER From Life Oil on Tin Painted Portrait
c. 1840 early/mid 19th Century, Oil Painting on Tin, Portrait of Daniel Webster, Leading American Statesman during the nation's Antebellum Period, famous Orator and Whig Party Leader, Secretary of State, Campaigned Three Times for President of the United States, Choice Extremely Fine.
Original Oil Painting on Tin, Portrait of Daniel Webster, Inscribed on the verso backing written on paper: "Taken from life by D.G. Lamonth (sic) artist at Franklin N.H. at the time he was called to Franklin by Judge Nesbitt to paint a view of the old Webster Homestead, Presented by D. Webster, his friend, to my grandfather Robert W. Benson." Oval portrait in period gilt wood frame, measures about 7.75" x 6" beautifully executed artwork with crisp sharp definition and excellent eye appeal. This Painting was accomplished during Webster's lifetime showing him as the bold, brilliant, "consummate" politician and United States Senator.
Daniel Webster (January 18, 1782 " October 24, 1852) was a leading American Senator and Statesman during the era of the Second Party System. He was the outstanding spokesman for American nationalism with powerful oratory that made him a key Whig leader. He spoke for conservatives, and led the opposition to Democrat Andrew Jackson and his Democratic Party.
He was a spokesman for modernization, banking, and industry, but not for the common people who composed the base of his opponents in Jacksonian Democracy. "He was a thoroughgoing elitist, and he reveled in it," says biographer Robert Remini. During his 40 years in national politics, Webster served in the House of Representatives for 10 years (representing New Hampshire), in the Senate for 19 years (representing Massachusetts), and was appointed the United States Secretary of State under three presidents.
One of the highest-regarded courtroom lawyers of the era, Webster shaped several key U.S. Supreme Court cases that established important constitutional precedents that bolstered the authority of the federal government. As a diplomat he is best known for negotiating the Webster-Ashburton Treaty with Great Britain; it established the definitive eastern border between the United States and Canada. Chiefly recognized for his Senate tenure, Webster was a key figure in the institution's "Golden days".
Webster was the Northern member of the "Great Triumvirate", with his colleagues Henry Clay from the West (Kentucky) and John C. Calhoun from the South (South Carolina). His "Reply to Hayne" in 1830 has been regarded as one of the greatest speeches in the senate's history.
As with his fellow Whig Henry Clay, Webster wanted to see the Union preserved and civil war averted. They both worked for compromises to stave off the sectionalism that threatened war between the North and the South. Webster tried and failed three times to become President of the United States.
In 1957, a Senate Committee selected Webster as one of the five greatest U.S. Senators with Henry Clay, John C. Calhoun, Robert La Follette, and Robert A. Taft.