President James K. Polk
Artist:
George H. Comegys
(American, 1811 - 1852)
Date: 1844
Medium: Oil on canvas
Dimensions:
51 1/4 x 36 1/4 in. (130.2 x 92.1 cm)
Credit Line: San Antonio Museum of Art, purchased with funds provided by the Annual Gift Appeal and the Sarah Campbell Blaffer Foundation
Object number: 77.944
Signed: Signed and dated, lower left: Comegys 1844
Inscribed: Signed and dated, lower left: Comegys 1844
Label Text
This portrait commemorates the election of James Polk as the eleventh president of the United States. The flag draped over the armchair to the right underscores Polk's victory, as does the map prominently featuring the Republic of Texas at his feet. If elected, Polk pledged to bring Texas, which had been independent since 1836, into the Union. The papers in his right hand are likely the terms of annexation, which occurred in December 1845.
Comegys trained with John Neagle, the son-in-law of Thomas Sully. He exhibited narrative scenes of children at Philadelphia venues, but never achieved renown, dying in the Pennsylvania Hospital for the Insane when only 41. Polk’s career was more triumphant. During his single term, he oversaw the Mexican-American War of 1846, which resulted in a major expansion of the U.S. Southwest. He also launched a successful treasury system and founded the U.S. Naval Academy and the Smithsonian Institution.
(William Rudolph, 2014)
Comegys trained with John Neagle, the son-in-law of Thomas Sully. He exhibited narrative scenes of children at Philadelphia venues, but never achieved renown, dying in the Pennsylvania Hospital for the Insane when only 41. Polk’s career was more triumphant. During his single term, he oversaw the Mexican-American War of 1846, which resulted in a major expansion of the U.S. Southwest. He also launched a successful treasury system and founded the U.S. Naval Academy and the Smithsonian Institution.
(William Rudolph, 2014)
Not on view
In Collection(s)
The San Antonio Museum of Art is in the process of digitizing its permanent collection. This electronic record was created from historic documentation that does not necessarily reflect SAMA's complete or current knowledge about the object. Review and updating of such records is ongoing.
This resource has been made possible in part by the National Endowment for the Humanities: Exploring the Human Endeavor.
