Object Record
Images
Metadata
Object Name |
Portrait |
Title |
Governor Charles A. Wickliffe |
Catalog Number |
1982.23 |
Creator |
Gibert, Antoine-Placide |
Date |
1845 |
Material(s) |
Paint/Canvas |
Dimensions |
H-45.875 W-38.5 D-3 inches |
Description |
This is a bust portrait of Governor A. Charles Wickliffe by Antoine-Placide Gibert. The painting is in a gold leaf frame. The painting depicts Gov. Wickliffe holding a letter in his right hand while his left hand rests on a book. The subject is depicted with dark brown hair and gray eyes. He is wearing a black suit, white shirt, stock, and jabot. The painting has a brown background and the subject is seated in a brown chair. The lower right has a red table top with a black and yellow book and grey quill pen on the surface. The artist signature is in the lower right and reads: "A Gibert, 1845." |
Notes |
Charles A. Wickliffe (1788-1869) served as the 14th governor of Kentucky from 1861-1863. He was one of several Kentucky governors who served in the War of 1812. Born near Springfield, Kentucky, in 1788, Wickliffe was a Bardstown attorney. There, he constructed Wickland, a house that became known as the "home of three governors" because his son became governor of Louisiana and a grandson, J. C. W. Beckham, became governor of Kentucky. When the War of 1812 erupted, Wickliffe was serving in the Kentucky legislature. There, he supported the war with Great Britain. He also had active military service and was a staff aide to several generals. In 1836, Wickliffe was Governor James Clark's running mate. Governor Clark died in office, and Wickliffe finished the remainder of Clark's term. Like many politicians since his time, Wickliffe was accused of being a "trimmer" --someone who changes his political views with popular opinion. Wickliffe supported efforts to improve travel on rivers and educate farmers about improved agricultural methods. Later, Wickliffe was U.S. postmaster general, was active in the 1849 constitutional convention, and, during the Civil War, was elected to the U.S. Congress as a Unionist. In 1862, he was severely injured in a carriage accident. He died in 1869 and was buried in Bardstown. The artist, Antoine Placide Gibert, was born on October 6, 1806 in Bordeaux. He died on December 16, 1875. Gilbert was educated at the School of the Beaux-Arts in Paris starting in 1828 and debuted at the Salon in 1831. He won a prizes for his work in Rome in 1832 and at the Salon in 1841. Gilbert painted a portrait of Henry Clay. |
Collection |
KHS Museum Collection |
People |
Gibert, Antoine-Placide Wickliffe, C. A. (Charles Anderson), 1788-1869 |
Subjects |
Portrait paintings Portraits Governors Paintings |
Search Terms |
Washington County (Ky.) Nelson County (Ky.) |
Physical Holder |
Kentucky Historical Society - KHS |