Levi Woodburn, Secretary of Treasury 1837

Editor: So, this is Charles Fenderich’s lithograph, "Levi Woodbury, Secretary of Treasury," from 1837. It’s quite a stately portrait. It really captures the gravitas of someone in that position. What do you see when you look at this print? Curator: The averted gaze speaks volumes, doesn't it? What narratives are being implied by the very precise tailoring of his coat? Editor: I guess the suit signals power and importance? It’s like a visual shorthand for authority. Curator: Precisely. Consider the careful rendering of the face. Does it evoke a specific character or an idealized type? The angle certainly contributes. Think about what the avoidance of direct eye contact might signify. Is it humility? Disinterest? Something else entirely? Editor: Maybe it’s trying to show thoughtfulness, someone deep in thought? Curator: Perhaps. And does the print medium itself add another layer to this representation of power? Lithography allowed for wider distribution of images. How might that have shaped perceptions of Levi Woodbury, and, by extension, the Treasury Secretary's office? Editor: It's like creating a visual brand for him. Mass media even back then. I hadn’t really thought about that. It’s like he's trying to convey trustworthiness and competence, visually marketing himself to the public. Curator: An interesting reading. Consider the enduring symbols we use to represent authority today. How have they evolved, and what have they retained? Editor: Seeing this has made me think differently about how symbols of power and leadership persist and change through art. Curator: And about the subtle ways artists convey not just likeness but also social narratives through seemingly simple portraits.