1
Portfolios%3D%22716%22%20and%20Disp_Obj_Type%3D%22Print%22%20and%20Century%3D%2219th%20Century%22
Print
The County Election (after George Caleb Bingham)
John Sartain, (London, England, 1808 - 1897, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
Bingham, George Caleb
United States
1811 - 1879
Male
Original artist
After
Sartain, John
United States
1808 - 1897
Male
Engraver
25 5/8 x 32 3/16 in. (65.1 x 81.8 cm)
.
.
.
Printer's ink
Printer's ink
Hand-colored line, stipple and mezzotint engraving on chine colle
1854
1854
1854
1800-1900, 19th century, mezzotints, politics in art
Print
This scene is a commentary on American elections as well as on a specific Election Day in 1850. On that day, in Saline County, Missouri, the artist George Caleb Bingham ran for a place in the State Legislature. E. D. Sappington, the candidate lifting his shiny top hat, was the winner. Sappington, with his workers, tried to buy votes with liquor, and because he was related to the judge and one of the clerks, the election’s outcome aroused suspicion. While Bingham did not contest the results, The County Election makes a powerful statement about his thoughts concerning the corrupt proceedings. The artist represents himself as the figure in the stovepipe hat seated on the courthouse steps, attended by a friendly dog and two men in white hats who pause to look over his shoulder.
John Sartain was a highly successful engraver and publisher. He is well-known for his mezzotints of paintings by some of America’s major artists, including Emanuel Leutze and Thomas Sully. His descendants continued to make important contributions to the world of 19th century American art.
[Gallery label text, October 2010]
lower rightlower center
1991.73
item
Memorial Art Gallery
9/8/1999
91.73SL1
slide
2 x 2
00/00/00
http://127.0.0.1:5000/Graphics/blank.gif
glossy
8 x 10
00/00/00
http://127.0.0.1:5000/Graphics/blank.gif
negative
2.5 x 3
00/00/00
http://127.0.0.1:5000/Graphics/blank.gif
91.73DI1
digital image
2 x 2
00/00/00
http://127.0.0.1:5000/Media/images/91.73_A1.jpg