Primary sourcePaintingbetween 1850 and 1853
Portrait of Millard Fillmore, Engraved by John Sartain
John Sartain · between 1850 and 1853
An engraved portrait of Millard Fillmore made by John Sartain and published in Philadelphia during his presidency.
A formal engraved portrait of Fillmore made during his presidency, presenting him as a dignified national leader.
About this source
What it is
This full-length engraved portrait of Millard Fillmore was created by the engraver John Sartain and published in Philadelphia, likely between 1850 and 1853 while Fillmore was serving as president of the United States.
Why it matters
Formal engraved portraits like this one were used to present presidents to the public in a dignified, authoritative style. The surrounding objects, papers, books, and an ornate chair, were common devices used by artists to suggest a leader's education and responsibility.
Look closer
- What details in the portrait suggest that Fillmore is meant to be seen as a serious, responsible leader?
- Why might an engraver choose to include books and papers in a portrait of a president?
- How does this formal image compare to a casual photograph of someone today?
This painting is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Millard Fillmore on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.
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