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Lot Essay
Henry Clay (1777-1852) was known as "The Great Compromiser" because of his involvement in the Missouri Compromise as well as others enacted to ensure a balance of rights between the free and slave states. A powerful and highly influencial figure, he served as Speaker of the House of Representatives, in addition to positions as congressman and senator for Kentucky and Secretary of State under President Adams.
This plate bears a striking resemblance to the half-plate daguerreotype portrait of Clay in the collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art and is possibly a copy of this example. In Facing the Light it is suggested that the Metropolitan plate may possibly be a product of the Brady Studio. In addition there is another very similar example in the collection of The Museum of Modern Art, New York. (See: Pfister, Facing the Light, pp. 203-4, 305-6, cat. 74.)
Please note that since this plate was photographed for illustration in the catalogue, the cover glass has been cleaned. A conservator's report is available upon request.
This plate bears a striking resemblance to the half-plate daguerreotype portrait of Clay in the collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art and is possibly a copy of this example. In Facing the Light it is suggested that the Metropolitan plate may possibly be a product of the Brady Studio. In addition there is another very similar example in the collection of The Museum of Modern Art, New York. (See: Pfister, Facing the Light, pp. 203-4, 305-6, cat. 74.)
Please note that since this plate was photographed for illustration in the catalogue, the cover glass has been cleaned. A conservator's report is available upon request.