Stump Speaking 

George Caleb Bingham made this painting with oil paint on canvas; traditional materials for the fine arts at the time. But look closely, and you’ll notice that the real subject is the gathering itself: men of various stations coming together to listen to a political speech. What’s so interesting is that Bingham really emphasizes the material culture of this event, which is also his subject. The clothing tells us something about the social status of those assembled – homespun versus tailored garments, simple straw hats versus fancier ones. And then there is the makeshift stage, constructed from roughly hewn timbers. This is where the would-be politician, in his comparatively fine white suit, attempts to literally elevate himself. In the end, Bingham gives equal weight to all aspects of this democratic moment: from the speaker to the audience, and from the finest attire to the crudest carpentry. It all counts equally in the story of American self-governance.