Whitehorne, J. “Key to the Engraving of the U. S. Senate Chamber”

After J. Whitehorne.  “Key to the Engraving of the U. S. Senate Chamber.”  

Ca. 1842.  11 ¾ x 16 (paper).  Etching.   Chipped margin corners filled.  Vertical crease left hand side.  Repaired tear in bottom margin.  Else, good condition.  A/A  

The key to a superb image of the large print of the Senate Chamber drawn by J. Whitehorne.  This large print depicts over one hundred figures of Senators and spectators.  In the engraving, ninety seven of the figures have their faces clearly presented, and identified and each is based on a daguerreotype from “The National Miniature Gallery of Anthony Clark & Co. (late Anthony, Edwards & Co.)”  Clay is pictured in the background of the print, though he does not appear to be the focus of the event.  Clay left the Senate in 1842, which would seem to give an approximate date for the print, though other sources give dates of 1846-47.  Besides Clay, seventy one Senators are depicted, including Daniel Webster, John Quincy Adams, Martin Van Buren, Thomas H. Benton and John Calhoun.  Among the identified spectators are John James Audubon, Mrs. J.Q. Adams, Dolly Madison, Mrs. James K. Polk and Henry Longfellow.