About this image...

Image Title: The Working Man--He Is To Society What The Main-Mast Is To The Ship, 1844

Creator: Whaites, Edward P.,

Date: 1844

Summary: A campaign portrait of Henry Clay, Whig presidential candidate in 1844. In a full-length pose no doubt derivative of John Neagle's Ashland portrait (see "Henry Clay," no. 1843-7), Clay stands in a landscape, gesturing toward his left where mountains and trees (evidently of his native Kentucky) appear in the distance. In the left background stands the U. S. Capitol. Above the portrait is an eagle with a scroll reading "CLAY & FRELINGHUYSEN," grasped in his beak. The eagle is partially hidden by two crossed American flags. The image and motto were obviously designed to appeal to the working class. The Whigs were widely viewed as the party of business interests.

Subjects: Badges, campaign
Capitol (U.S.) (pictured)
Clay, Henry, as presidential candidate
Eagle (prominently featured)
Flag of the United States (prominently featured)
Frelinghuysen, Theodore
Kentucky
Labor and trades, portrayed
Postal service

Original Media: Engraving

Collections: Cartoon Prints, American » more info...
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