Henry Clay, Senator from Kentucky 1840

Charles Fenderich's lithograph presents Henry Clay, Senator from Kentucky, in a composed, formal manner. Clay’s gaze is directed off to the side, a pose that echoes the Roman tradition of portraying leaders in profile, suggesting statesmanship and foresight. This averted gaze finds resonance across centuries, from ancient coins depicting emperors to Renaissance portraits of influential figures. The act of looking away, rather than directly confronting the viewer, implies contemplation and a broader vision, aligning Clay with a lineage of leaders and thinkers. Consider, for instance, how a similar pose in classical sculpture was used to convey wisdom and authority. This gesture, laden with historical weight, evokes a sense of continuity between past and present, suggesting that Clay, like those before him, is a figure of enduring significance. These archetypes are never truly gone, are they?