John Sartain
The County Election

Public Domain

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Images(6)

Artist John Sartain American, 1808–1897

Artistafter George Caleb Bingham American, 1811–1879

PrinterPrinted by James Irwin

PublisherPublished by Goupil & CieFrench, 1850–1884

CultureAmerican

Titles

The County Election

Date1854

MediumMezzotint, line and stipple engraving and watercolor on wove paper

DimensionsImage: 22 3/16 × 29 7/8 in. (56.4 × 75.9 cm)
Plate or block: 26 1/8 × 32 1/4 in. (66.4 × 81.9 cm)
Sheet: 27 × 37 in. (68.6 × 94 cm)

Credit LineThe Bayou Bend Collection, museum purchase funded by Mike Lucas and Lorne Bain in honor of their baby granddaughter Georgia Clair Williams at "One Great Night in November, 2000"

Object numberB.2000.17

Not on view

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Department

Bayou Bend

Object Type

PRINTS

DescriptionThis print depicts an 1846 election in Saline, Missouri, in which Bingham ran for a position in the state legislature. He uses the print to show the broad range of individuals who were potential voters. Some are clearly engaged in the political discussions, while others are more interested in drinking. Missouri had changed its laws in 1820, expanding the franchise to all adult white males, not just those who were property owners. Black Americans, such as the figure to the left pouring cider, were not permitted to vote.
Provenance[Donald A. Heald Rare Books, New York]; purchased by MFAH, 2000.
Inscriptions, Signatures and Marks

Recto: Inscribed in printed ink, below plate, left: PAINTED BY G.C. BINGHAM
Recto: Inscribed in printed ink, below plate, center: PUBLISHED BY GOUPIL & CO. NEW YORK-PARIS-LONDON-BERLIN / THE COUNTY ELECTION
Recto: Inscribed in printed ink, below plate, right: ENGRAVED BY JOHN SARTAIN
Recto: Inscribed in printed ink, below plate, center bottom edge: PUBLISHED BY GOUPIL & CO. NEW YORK-PARIS-LONDON-BERLIN
Recto: Inscribed in printed ink, below plate, right bottom edge: PRINTED BY JAS. IRWIN
VESRO: Inscribed in pencil: markings regarding matting and framing

Cataloguing data may change with further research.

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