Dolley Madison, 1846

Contributed by Maine Historical Society

Dolley Madison, 1846

Purchase a reproduction of this item on VintageMaineImages.com.

Description

Dolley Payne Todd Madison (1768-1849) conducted the White House's social life during the presidencies of Thomas Jefferson and her husband, James Madison. The "queen of Washington society," she reigned over the nation's capital for nearly 50 years. Madison is pictured here wearing a shawl given to her by friend Julia Dearborn Wingate of Portland.

Gifted to Maine Historical Society in 1917 by one of Wingate's descendants, this daguerreotype was for many years attributed to famed American photographer Matthew Brady's studio. Madison sat for Brady shortly before her death in 1849. However, in 2024, a companion daguerreotype—nearly identical but without Madison's hands visible and a slightly different smile—came to auction. It included a contemporary attribution notice which read "Plumbe National Daguerrian Depot, New York." The auctioned image was purchased by the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery

Extensive research by Sotheby's and New York Times journalist Jennifer Schessler for an article entitled "Hello, Dolley? Earliest Known Photograph of a First Lady Comes to Auction" (retrieved June 17, 2024) positions John Plumbe, Jr. (1809-1857) as the photographer for both Madison daguerreotypes. This newly discovered information dates both images to May of 1846.

View/Add Comments


About This Item

  • Title: Dolley Madison, 1846
  • Creator: Plumbe Jr. John
  • Creation Date: 1846
  • Subject Date: 1846
  • Location: USA
  • Media: Daguerreotype
  • Dimensions: 10 cm x 11 cm
  • Local Code: Coll. 443, Box 8/3, 229*
  • Collection: Miscellaneous daguerreotypes
  • Object Type: Image

Cross Reference Searches

Standardized Subject Headings

People

Other Keywords


For more information about this item, contact:

Maine Historical Society
485 Congress Street, Portland, ME 04101
(207) 774-1822 x230
Website

Use of this Item is not restricted by copyright and/or related rights, but the holding organization is contractually obligated to limit use. For more information, please contact the contributing organization. However, watermarked Maine Memory Network images may be used for educational purposes.

How to cite content on this site


More to Consider


Please post your comment below to share with others. If you'd like to privately share a comment or correction with MMN staff, please send us a message with this link.