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Catalog Data

Artist:
Cephas Thompson, 1 Jul 1775 - 6 Nov 1856  Search this
Sitter:
John Marshall, 24 Sep 1755 - 6 Jul 1835  Search this
Medium:
Oil on canvas
Dimensions:
Stretcher: 61.3 x 52.4cm (24 1/8 x 20 5/8")
Frame: 73.5 x 64.6 x 6.4cm (28 15/16 x 25 7/16 x 2 1/2")
Type:
Painting
Date:
1809-10
Exhibition Label:
Born Prince William (now Fauquier) County, Virginia
John Marshall, the fourth chief justice of the United States, strengthened the idea of an independent federal judiciary. Additionally, he established the concept of judicial review, in which the Supreme Court could pronounce a law of Congress as unconstitutional.
In cases brought to the Court between 1810 and 1824—years in which the Marshall Court enjoyed great stability and harmony—Marshall used the Court’s judicial review to nullify state laws violating constitutional restraints of state power. The effect of Marshall’s long tenure as chief justice (1801–35) was to strengthen the Court, the Constitution, and the federal government. The Court became a preeminent interpreter of the Constitution, and the federal government’s enumerated powers were given a broad interpretation, making it superior to those of the states.
Cephas Thompson painted a portrait of Marshall from life in Richmond, Virginia, as well as six replicas for admirers.
Nacido en Prince William (hoy Fauquier) County, Virginia
John Marshall, cuarto juez presidente del Tribunal Supremo de Estados Unidos, reforzó la idea de un sistema judicial independiente. Estableció también el concepto de la revisión judicial, según el cual el Tribunal Supremo puede declarar inconstitucional una ley aprobada por el Congreso.
En casos vistos por el Tribunal entre 1810 y 1824 (años de gran estabilidad y armonía en dicho cuerpo), Marshall empleó la revisión judicial para anular leyes estatales que violaban las restricciones constitucionales del poder de los estados. Su largo término como juez presidente (1801–35) tuvo el efecto de fortalecer el Tribunal, la Constitución y el gobierno federal. El Tribunal Supremo se convirtió en intérprete preeminente de la Constitución, y su amplia interpretación de los poderes explícitos del gobierno federal les dio primacía sobre los estatales.
Cephas Thompson pintó del natural un retrato de Marshall en Richmond, Virginia, además de seis copias para admiradores.
Provenance:
O.P. and M. J. Van Sweringen, Daisy Hill Farm, Hunting Valley, Ohio; sold by (Parke-Bernet Galleries) at the Sweringen residence, 27 October 1938, lot 824; Thomas Jones, Cleveland, Ohio; his son Brooks Jones; Mrs. Brooks Jones; (Corcoran Fine Arts, Cleveland); purchased 2010 NPG
Topic:
John Marshall: Male  Search this
John Marshall: Law and Crime\Lawyer  Search this
John Marshall: Politics and Government\Cabinet member\Secretary of State  Search this
John Marshall: Law and Crime\Judge\Justice\US Supreme Court Justice\Chief Justice of US  Search this
Portrait  Search this
Credit Line:
National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution
Object number:
NPG.2010.48
Restrictions & Rights:
CC0
See more items in:
National Portrait Gallery Collection
Exhibition:
Out of Many: Portraits from 1600 to 1900
On View:
NPG, East Gallery 132
Data Source:
National Portrait Gallery
GUID:
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/sm46b1fb81a-058c-465c-96e4-bd422e6d83fa
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:npg_NPG.2010.48