Antique c.1860s Steel Engraving — "James Madison" — After Gilbert Stuart — D. Appleton & Co., N.Y. — Ornate Rococo Border — "Burning of the Capitol by the British, 1814" Vignette — Facsimile Signature
You are looking at an original 19th-century steel engraving of James Madison, the fourth President of the United States, widely known as the "Father of the Constitution" for his central role in drafting and ratifying the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
The portrait is engraved by C. Cook after the celebrated life portrait by Gilbert Stuart — the most important portraitist of the Founding era, whose portraits of Washington, Adams, Jefferson, and Madison remain the definitive likenesses of these figures. The stipple engraving technique renders Madison's face with exceptional subtlety and depth. Published by D. Appleton & Company of New York, one of the most important and prestigious American publishers of the 19th century.
The design is one of the most elaborate in the Appleton series: an oval portrait medallion is surrounded by a richly detailed rococo scrollwork border of acanthus leaves, floral garlands, and geometric lattice work. An American bald eagle on a pedestal crowns the top of the composition. At the bottom, a dramatic historical cartouche depicts "The Burning of the Capitol by the British, 1814" — the defining moment of Madison's presidency, when British forces invaded Washington, D.C. and set fire to the Capitol building and the White House during the War of 1812. The bold facsimile signature "James Madison" in flowing script anchors the lower left.
James Madison (1751–1836) was the principal architect of the U.S. Constitution, the primary author of the Bill of Rights, co-author of the Federalist Papers with Alexander Hamilton and John Jay, and the 4th President of the United States. His presidency was defined by the War of 1812 — the only time a foreign power has invaded and occupied Washington, D.C. — and his leadership through that crisis cemented his legacy as a wartime president.
Sheet size: 10" x 6.5" — fits a standard 8x10 frame with a mat, or can be displayed in a larger frame.
Condition: Good antique condition. The oval portrait and the elaborate decorative border are fully intact and display beautifully. The left edge of the sheet shows paper loss and tears from the original binding — this is confined to the left margin and does not affect the portrait or the decorative border. A few small foxing spots appear in the upper left margin area outside the border. The back of the sheet shows some age-related toning/browning in the center area and the engraved image bleeding through from the front (normal for authentic antique steel engravings on period paper). Please review all photos carefully.
What you receive: The original antique engraving only. Not framed. Ships flat in a protective sleeve between rigid cardboard.