Who painted Grover Cleveland [recto]?

Grover Cleveland [recto] was painted by Eastman Johnson in 1865.

Where can I see Grover Cleveland [recto]?

Grover Cleveland [recto] is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Grover Cleveland [recto]?

Grover Cleveland [recto] is associated with Romanticism.

Can I buy a print of Grover Cleveland [recto]?

Museum-quality prints of Grover Cleveland [recto] are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Grover Cleveland [recto]

Eastman Johnson , 1865

Grover Cleveland [recto] is a graphite drawing by the Romanticist artist Eastman Johnson. It dates from 1865 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

Markings: Marked:BS: Bristol L.M

About this work

Overview

Eastman Johnson’s drawing titled Grover Cleveland (recto) was executed in 1865. Rendered in graphite and black crayon on a light‑brown paperboard, the work presents a quick, informal portrait of a man in profile, his gaze directed downward. The sketch remains unfinished, its loose lines and modest shading suggesting facial features such as wrinkles and a beard.

Subject & Meaning

The figure depicted is a likeness of Grover Cleveland, who would later become the twenty‑second President of the United States. The downward look and subdued expression convey a contemplative mood, perhaps reflecting the subject’s private demeanor before his public career fully unfolded.

Technique & Style

Johnson employs a limited palette of graphite and black crayon, allowing for stark contrasts and swift gestural marks. The drawing’s surface shows a rough texture, with the artist’s hand evident in the rapid, unrefined strokes that outline facial contours and suggest shading without detailed modeling.

History & Provenance

Created in the immediate aftermath of the Civil War, the sketch is an early example of Johnson’s interest in contemporary figures. A small etched mark in the upper‑right corner, possibly a stamp or a faint signature, identifies the work, though its later ownership trail remains undocumented.

Grover Cleveland [verso], Eastman Johnson

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Artist & collection

Artist

Eastman Johnson

Jonathan Eastman Johnson (July 29, 1824 – April 5, 1906) was an American painter and co-founder of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City, with his name inscribed at its entrance.