US President Zachary Taylor (Engraved Portrait)

What it is

This is a black-and-white engraved portrait of Zachary Taylor, shown from the chest up. It is dated 12 June 1849, and the artist is unknown. Below the portrait is a handwritten signature reading Z. Taylor. The image comes from a museum collection, listed in the Commons record as the HWUM collection. The record gives little other description.

Why it matters

Portraits of presidents were widely reproduced in the nineteenth century, so images like this helped the public recognize the men who held office. This engraving shows how Taylor was presented to the public while he was in office. Because it is a reproduction, it shows the image he and his public wanted to project rather than the man himself.

Look closer

• What clothing and details does the portrait show, and what might they say about how Taylor wanted to be seen?
• Who made the engraving, and why might that matter for how we read the image?
• What does a single portrait leave out about Taylor as a person and a leader?