James Garfield

National Portrait Gallery

Object Details

Exhibition Label
While serving in the Ohio infantry, James A. Garfield was elected to Congress in 1862; he represented his home state for eighteen years. Nominated by the Republican Party as its presidential candidate in 1880, he was elected president and inaugurated on March 4, 1881. Garfield had served only four months in office when, on July 2, he was shot by religious fanatic Charles J. Guiteau. Mortally wounded, Garfield died in September. His assassination led to an outpouring of national mourning, which resulted in numerous full-length paintings and sculptures. This small figure appears to be a trial casting a larger statue in Washington, D.C., completed by John Quincy Adams Ward in 1887.
Provenance
(Skinner Auctions, October 1 2005, lot 146), Boston. (Post Road Gallery), Larchmont, NY; sold to NPG 2008
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National Portrait Gallery Collection
Date
c. 1883-1887
Object number
NPG.2008.3
Credit Line
National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution
Attribution
John Quincy Adams Ward, 29 Jun 1830 - 1 May 1910
Sitter
James Abram Garfield, 19 Nov 1831 - 19 Sep 1881
Topic
Personal Attribute\Facial Hair\Beard
Costume\Dress Accessory\Tie\Bowtie
Costume\Dress Accessory\Button
James Abram Garfield: Male
James Abram Garfield: Law and Law Enforcement\Lawyer
James Abram Garfield: Natural Resources\Agriculturist\Farmer
James Abram Garfield: Military\Army\Officer\General
James Abram Garfield: Education\Educator\Teacher
James Abram Garfield: Education\Educator\Professor\College
James Abram Garfield: Politics and Government\President of US
James Abram Garfield: Politics and Government\US Congressman\Ohio
James Abram Garfield: Education\Administrator\College\President
James Abram Garfield: Politics and Government\State Senator\Ohio
James Abram Garfield: Military\Army\Officer\Major General
Portrait
Medium
Bronze on an integral bronze base
Dimensions
With Base: 47.6 x 14.6 x 14cm (18 3/4 x 5 3/4 x 5 1/2")
Data Source
National Portrait Gallery
Type
Sculpture
Record ID
npg_NPG.2008.3
Usage
Not determined
While serving in the Ohio infantry, James A. Garfield was elected to Congress in 1862; he represented his home state for eighteen years. Nominated by the Republican Party as its presidential candidate in 1880, he was elected president and inaugurated on March 4, 1881.

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