By 1846 Americans had an appreciation not only for portraiture, the artist's traditional staple, but also for landscapes, scenes of everyday life, and, among some, even marble statuary. In literature it was a prolific age for poetry; it was the era of Ralph Waldo Emerson's essays, Edgar Allan Poe's short stories, and Herman Melville's first novel, Typee. Americans loved to sing--they were partial to sentimental ballads--and sheet-music manufacturers did a thriving business. Vocalists--particularly singing groups--pianists, violinists, and in a few cities, full orchestras found a ready audience. Theatrical entertainment of every description was relished--especially the minstrel show--and the likes of Charlotte Cushman and Edwin Forrest enjoyed a popularity that rivaled that of presidential candidates and military heroes.

William Gilmore Simms
William Gilmore Simms
Unidentified artist
Oil on canvas, not dated
26 1/2 x 22 3/4 inches
National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; donated in memorey of the Charles Carroll Simms Family (NPG.95.20)


Stephen Foster
Stephen Foster
Attributed to Thomas Hicks
Oil on canvas, circa 1850
30 x 25 inches
National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; transfer from the National Gallery of Art; gift of Andrew W. Mellon, 1942 (NPG.65.52)


Jonas Chickering
Jonas Chickering
Southworth & Hawes
Daguerreotype, 1853
12 1/4 x 10 1/4 inches
National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution (NPG.95.177)


Edwin Forrest as Metamora
Edwin Forrest as Metamora
Frederick Styles Agate
Oil on canvas, circa 1832
24 1/2 x 19 1/4 inches
National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; gift of Kathryn and Gilbert Miller Fund, in memory of Alexander Ince (NPG.66.20)


Charlotte Cushman
Charlotte Cushman
William Page
Oil on canvas, 1853
28 1/2 x 22 inches
National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution (NPG.72.15)

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