This oil on canvas painting of President James Buchanan was done by William Merritt Chase after an earlier engraving by another artist. Prior to his presidency, Buchanan had served in the House of Representatives and the Senate, was Secretary of State under Presidents Polk and Taylor and served as an ambassador. He was president from March 4, 1857 until March 4, 1861.

This painting by William Merritt Chase is a still life of vegetables and cookware set upon a table. A head of lettuce and several tomatoes, most piled into a low, flat basket, are set in front of a metal pot and pitcher. Chase, an American Impressionist painter, was well-known for his landscapes of Shinnecock Hills, Long Island, New York. Two of his works are in the White House Collection.