This portrait of Elizabeth Hobbs Keckly was the frontispiece, or an illustration facing the title page of a book, for her memoir Behind the Scenes, or Thirty Years a Slave and Four Years in the White House, published ca. 1868 by G.W. Carleton & Co. Her memoir detailed her life when she was enslaved, her rise to prominence as a businesswoman and seamstress, and her friendship with First Lady Mary Lincoln. Her memoir provides ample insight into the Lincoln White House, her family life, and the brutalities she experienced under slavery.

This photograph of White House curator Lorraine Waxman Pearce was taken by Robert L. Knudsen on June 28, 1961, during the John F. Kennedy administration. The curator was on hand to accept the a noteworthy painting of a Hartford, Connecticut family. Donated by the E. and A. Silberman Galleries, this important acquisition was hung in the Lincoln Bedroom, enhancing its Victorian period decor. This painting by an unknown artist is a portrait of a family relaxing in their lounge or parlor, circa 1840-1850. Members of the family of five sit about, playing the piano, working on needlepoint, and playing with the family dog. In the back, a young African American girl serves the mother.

This satirical cartoon was submitted for copyright shortly before the presidential election of 1860. The cartoon depicts the political contest as a baseball game. Abraham Lincoln stands at home base on the right side of the image, advising his opponents, from left to right: former Senator John Bell, Senator Stephen A. Douglas, and John C. Breckinridge, who was then Vice President of the United States under President James Buchanan. The text on the men's bats and belts provides clues about their political platforms. Instead of a baseball bat, Lincoln holds a wooden rail labeled "Equal Rights and Free Territory." A skunk stands near the other candidates, signifying that they have been "skunk'd," or overwhelmingly defeated.

This portrait by Charles Willson Peale is of architect Benjamin Henry Latrobe. President Thomas Jefferson appointed Latrobe Surveyor of Public Buildings in 1803. Latrobe is best known as the architect who designed the U.S. Capitol, St. John's Church and Decatur House in Lafayette Square, the White House East and West Terraces, and the Madison state rooms. He was also the chief engineer for the U.S. Navy. Peale was a soldier and inventor as well as an artist and created many portraits of Revolutionary War era figures. His younger brother, James, and his son Rubens, each have pieces in the White House Collection. Joseph H. Bailey photographed the portrait for the White House Historical Association's records and publications in January 1975.

This portrait by Charles Willson Peale is of architect Benjamin Henry Latrobe. President Thomas Jefferson appointed Latrobe Surveyor of Public Buildings in 1803. Latrobe is best known as the architect who designed the U.S. Capitol, St. John's Church and Decatur House in Lafayette Square, the White House East and West Terraces, and the Madison state rooms. He was also the chief engineer for the U.S. Navy. Peale was a soldier and inventor as well as an artist and created many portraits of Revolutionary War era figures. His younger brother, James, and his son Rubens, each have pieces in the White House Collection. Joseph H. Bailey photographed the portrait for the White House Historical Association's records and publications in January 1975.

This portrait by Charles Willson Peale is of architect Benjamin Henry Latrobe. President Thomas Jefferson appointed Latrobe Surveyor of Public Buildings in 1803. Latrobe is best known as the architect who designed the U.S. Capitol, St. John's Church and Decatur House in Lafayette Square, the White House East and West Terraces, and the Madison state rooms. He was also the chief engineer for the U.S. Navy. Peale was a soldier and inventor as well as an artist and created many portraits of Revolutionary War era figures. His younger brother, James, and his son Rubens, each have pieces in the White House Collection. Joseph H. Bailey photographed the portrait for the White House Historical Association's records and publications in January 1975.

This portrait by Charles Willson Peale is of architect Benjamin Henry Latrobe. President Thomas Jefferson appointed Latrobe Surveyor of Public Buildings in 1803. Latrobe is best known as the architect who designed the U.S. Capitol, St. John's Church and Decatur House in Lafayette Square, the White House East and West Terraces, and the Madison state rooms. He was also the chief engineer for the U.S. Navy. Peale was a soldier and inventor as well as an artist and created many portraits of Revolutionary War era figures. His younger brother, James, and his son Rubens, each have pieces in the White House Collection. Joseph H. Bailey photographed the portrait for the White House Historical Association's records and publications in January 1975.

This portrait by Charles Willson Peale is of architect Benjamin Henry Latrobe. President Thomas Jefferson appointed Latrobe Surveyor of Public Buildings in 1803. Latrobe is best known as the architect who designed the U.S. Capitol, St. John's Church and Decatur House in Lafayette Square, the White House East and West Terraces, and the Madison state rooms. He was also the chief engineer for the U.S. Navy. Peale was a soldier and inventor as well as an artist and created many portraits of Revolutionary War era figures. His younger brother, James, and his son Rubens, each have pieces in the White House Collection. Joseph H. Bailey photographed the portrait for the White House Historical Association's records and publications in January 1975.

This marble bust of President George Washington is by Italian sculptor Giuseppe Ceracchi. Ceracchi sculpted many notable Americans, including Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton. This bust was modeled circa 1790-1794 and was carved circa 1815. The United States government acquired the bust along with busts of Amerigo Vespucci and Christopher Columbus during the James Monroe administration in 1817. Washington served as the commander in chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolution. He served as president from April 30, 1789 until March 4, 1797. Bates Littlehales photographed the bust in March 1962 during the John F. Kennedy administration.

This marble bust of President George Washington is by Italian sculptor Giuseppe Ceracchi. Ceracchi sculpted many notable Americans, including Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton. This bust was modeled circa 1790-1794 and was carved circa 1815. The United States government acquired the bust along with busts of Amerigo Vespucci and Christopher Columbus during the James Monroe administration in 1817. Washington served as the commander in chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolution. He served as president from April 30, 1789 until March 4, 1797. Bates Littlehales photographed the bust in March 1962 during the John F. Kennedy administration.

This portrait of John Hampden was done by Hendrick Jan Serin. Hampden was a figure in the English Civil War and was a leading politician and regimental officer on the side of the parliamentarians during the conflict. He was mortally wounded at the Battle of Chalgrove Field in Oxfordshire.

This portrait of Mrs. Richard Brinsley Sheridan is attributed to Gainsborough Dupont after Thomas Gainsborough. Gainsborough was the dominant British portraitist in between 1750 and 1800 and was also a founding member of the Royal Academy. Dupont was Gainsborough's nephew and student. Mrs. Richard Brinsley Sheridan (née Elizabeth Ann Linley) was a noted soprano and eldest daughter of composer Thomas Linley.

This marble bust of explorer Amerigo Vespucci is by Italian sculptor Giuseppe Ceracchi. Ceracchi sculpted many notable Americans, including George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Alexander Hamilton. This bust was acquired along with busts of Christopher Columbus and President Washington by the Monroe Administration in 1817.

This portrait of Benjamin Franklin was painted by David Martin in 1767 in London, England. Franklin was a renowned author, inventor and philosopher who was also one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. He also served as the representative of the United States in France during the Revolutionary War. Martin was a Scottish painter who later became famous for portraits; this painting of Franklin was one of his early works. Franklin lived in London twice on behalf of the United States and its interests. This portrait was commissioned by Robert Alexander of William Alexander and Sons in Edinburgh, Scotland during one of those stays when Alexander had a property claim being disputed with another man. Both Alexander and the plaintiff agreed to seek Franklin's legal advice and promised to adhere to Franklin's decision. Franklin ruled in favor of Alexander, who commissioned the portrait in gratitude for Franklin's ruling.

This copy of a portrait of Tadeusz Kosciuszko was done by Danute Sawnor, based on the original portrait by Jozef Grassi. Kosciuszko was a Polish military leader who fought in the American Revolution. Kosciuszko is depicted wearing the insignia of the Order of Cincinnati, an exclusive society of military officers formed during the Revolutionary era.

This bust of Susan B. Anthony was made by Adelaide Johnson. Anthony was one of the leading figures in the women's suffrage movement in the 1800s. On Election Day 1872 she persuaded an election inspector in Rochester, New York to allow her to vote, and was tried and convicted in 1873 for illegally voting. The Nineteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which guaranteed women the right to vote, is also known as the Anthony Amendment. Johnson was a sculptor and active feminist.

This bust of John Bright was done by John Warrington Wood. Bright was a British radical and member of the House of Commons for 30 years, a renowned orator, and a proponent of free trade policies. Wood was a British sculptor who lived in Europe for much of his career.

This portrait of Lucy Payne Washington Todd is attributed to Matthew Harris Jouett. Lucy Payne was the sister of First Lady Dolley Payne Madison. She first married George Steptoe Washington, nephew of President George Washington. After his death, she married U.S. Supreme Court Justice Thomas Todd. Her marriage to Todd on March 29, 1812 was the first documented marriage at the White House. Jouett studied under renowned portrait painter Gilbert Stuart and painted multiple portraits of famous figures of the era.

This portrait of James Freeman Curtis was done by John Coles, Jr. Curtis served in the United States Navy during the War of 1812 and was captured by the British and held prisoner for a time. After leaving the service he became a successful businessman in New England.

This portrait of Colonel William Drayton was done by Samuel Finley Breese Morse. Drayton served in the War of 1812, and was offered the post of secretary of war in the cabinet of President Andrew Jackson and declined. A lawyer, he was appointed a criminal magistrate in Charleston, South Carolina. He was elected to Congress and served from 1825-1833. Morse was a successful painter but is more well-known for inventing the telegraph and creating the system of communication for the new device, the Morse Code.

This portrait by Gilbert Stuart is of Anna Payne Cutts. Cutts was Dolley Payne Madison's younger sister and she sat for this portrait for Stuart at about the same time she married Richard Cutts, a U.S. Representative from Massachusetts. Born in Rhode Island, Stuart was a renowned portraitist and is known for his portraits of many leading figures, including presidents George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and James Monroe.

This portrait of British actress Frances Anne Kemble, commonly known as Fanny Kemble, is by British-American painter Thomas Sully. Sully painted Kemble while she was visiting the United States and performing in various cities such as New York and Philadelphia. After a performance in Washington, D.C. in 1833, Kemble was presented to President Andrew Jackson at the White House. The provenance of this painting is hazy because Sully painted two portraits of her. The one in the White House Collection is presumed to have been given to Kemble, who then passed it on to her daughter, Frances. Born in Britain, Sully's family emigrated to the Charleston, South Carolina when he was still a child. He studied portrait painting with Gilbert Stuart as a young man and earned a reputation as a premiere portrait painter in his own right.

This portrait by Charles Willson Peale is of architect Benjamin Henry Latrobe. President Thomas Jefferson appointed Latrobe Surveyor of Public Buildings in 1803. Latrobe is best known as the architect who designed the U.S. Capitol, St. John's Church and Decatur House in Lafayette Square, the White House East and West Terraces, and the Madison state rooms. He was also the chief engineer for the U.S. Navy. Peale was a soldier and inventor as well as an artist and created many portraits of Revolutionary War era figures. His younger brother, James, and his son Rubens, each have pieces in the White House Collection.

This painting by an unknown artist is a portrait of a family relaxing in their lounge or parlor, circa 1840-1850. Members of the family of five sit about, playing the piano, working on needlepoint, and playing with the family dog. In the back, a young African American girl serves the mother.

This portrait of Benjamin Franklin by artist Benjamin Wilson was displayed in the Roosevelt Room during the John F. Kennedy administration. Wilson's portrait is the earliest of the three portraits of Franklin in the White House Collection. Franklin was a renowned author, inventor and philosopher who was also one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. He also served as the representative of the United States in France during the Revolutionary War. Franklin commissioned the portrait in 1758 while he was in London to argue for the right to tax the Penn family estate. Until the American Revolution, the painting hung in Franklin's Philadelphia home. However, while Franklin was in France, the home was occupied by British troops and one of them took the portrait when they left. It was returned to the United States via President Theodore Roosevelt by Albert Henry, the fourth Earl Grey in 1906, the bicentennial of Franklin's birth. In addition to being a painter, Wilson was an inventor who worked with electricity, much as Franklin did. This may account for the lightning bolt visible in the background of the portrait.