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Catalog Data

Depicted:
Jackson, Andrew  Search this
Van Buren, Martin  Search this
Branch, John  Search this
Ingham, Samuel D.  Search this
Eaton, John Henry  Search this
Green, Duff  Search this
Maker:
Imbert, Anthony  Search this
Measurements:
image: 10 3/8 in x 8 3/4 in; 26.3525 cm x 22.225 cm
Object Name:
Lithograph
Object Type:
Lithograph
Place made:
United States: New York, New York City
Date made:
1831
1831-05-14
Description:
This popular black and white print refers to the break-up of President Andrew Jackson’s cabinet that happened in 1831. This breakup of the so-called Kitchen Cabinet was highly unusual, as it was personal disputes amongst the wives of politicians rather than political ones that upset the cabinet. Known as the Petticoat Affair, this dispute centered on Margaret Eaton, the wife of the Secretary of War, John Eaton. Other cabinet wives like Second Lady Floride Calhoun, and Jackson’s niece and official White House Hostess, Emily Donelson, felt that Eaton was not a proper lady and lacked the moral standard needed to be married to a cabinet member. This questioning of her character stemmed from her marriage to Eaton, deemed hasty and drenched in controversy due to rumors that they had an affair before her first husband had passed. Jackson sympathized with the Eatons and supported them, as he felt that the death of his beloved wife, Rachel was due to the stress of intense campaign trail speculation that her marriage was not legal. After years of tension, Jackson called for the resignation of anti-Eaton cabinet members, with only Eaton aligned Secretary of State, Martin Van Buren and Postmaster General, William T. Barry staying on. In this print, Jackson is looking through a kitchen window at three rats caught in traps. Each rat has the head of a resigned cabinet member, including Secretary of War John Eaton, Secretary of the Navy John Branch, and Secretary of the Treasury Samuel D. Ingham. Martin Van Buren, labeled “The Magician,” is looking through the door. In the right corner is Duff Green, editor of the United States Telegraph, operating a telegraph, and complaining that there will be "no more public printing" in reference to losing the government printing jobs after his break with Jackson over the Eaton affair.
The lithographer of this print is Anthony Imbert. Imbert is considered a pioneer of American lithography, but he got his artistic start painting marine scenes inspired by his long imprisonment in England as a naval officer. Upon arriving in America, he was commissioned to prepare lithographic plates for illustration, leading to a long career in lithography. He captured life in New York City, and many of his prints are important for historical documentation of the city. Anthony Imbert died around 1838 as his wife, Mary Imbert is listed as a widow in that year’s city directory.
Location:
Currently not on view
Subject:
Economy  Search this
U.S. National Government, executive branch  Search this
Chronology: 1830-1839  Search this
Political Caricatures  Search this
Credit Line:
Harry T. Peters "America on Stone" Lithography Collection
ID Number:
DL.60.3435
Catalog number:
60.3435
See more items in:
Home and Community Life: Domestic Life
Peters Political Prints
Art
Domestic Furnishings
Data Source:
National Museum of American History
GUID:
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746b4-b4c2-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:nmah_325666