Image scanned from a transparency and color-corrected by Pat Cagney.

John Letcher

Artist Alexander Gardner (American (born Scotland), 1821 - 1882)

Publisher Philp and Solomons, Washington, D.C. (American)

CultureAmerican

Dateca. 1865

MediumAlbumen print mounted on card

DimensionsOverall, Image: 3 3/8 x 2 1/8 in. (8.6 x 5.4 cm)
Overall: 4 x 2 3/8 in. (10.2 x 6 cm)

InscribedImprinted on reverse: "ALEX.GARDNER. / Photographer to the Army of the Potomac / Galleries / 511 SEVENTH STREET AND 332 PENNSYLVANIA AV. / PUBLISHED BY / PHILP & SOLOMONS, WASHINGTON, D.C."

Credit LineGift of Christina and Dr. George M. Kemp

Object number95.23

Collections

Photography

Not on view

DescriptionThis is a carte de visite of John Letcher, who was Governor of Virginia during the Civil War years. The reverse is imprinted with a view of the Capitol (?) Building.

Label TextAlexander Gardner American, 1821−1882 John Letcher, ca. 1865 Published by Philp & Solomons, Washington, D.C. Albumen print (photograph) John Letcher (1813−1884) served as the governor of Virginia from 1860 to 1864. The moderate Democrat opposed secession, but when efforts for compromise failed, he remained in office throughout most of the Civil War. After the South surrendered, Letcher was briefly jailed in Washington, D.C. The Virginian may have visited Alexander Gardner’s studio for this portrait before returning to Lexington, his hometown. Gift of Christina and Dr. George M. Kemp 95.23 Exhibition History"Shooting Lincoln: Photography and the 16th President," Chrysler Museum of Art, February 10 - July 5, 2015.