Chief Justice John Marshall 1833

Asher Brown Durand created this engraving of Chief Justice John Marshall, a pivotal figure in early American legal history. This print provides insight into the visual codes of power and respect that circulated in the 19th-century United States. The portrait is likely based on earlier painted portraits and embodies a desire to enshrine Marshall within a lineage of influential figures. Note his formal attire, the weighty book in his hand, and the composed expression, all of which convey authority and wisdom. Made during a period of nation-building, images like this played a role in shaping public perceptions of key figures and institutions. To fully understand this image, we might examine legal archives, period newspapers, and other portraits of the era. Only through such social and institutional context, can we grasp the complex interplay between art, power, and public perception.