The chair appears to be one used in Brady's Washington studio; the "Lincoln chair" was given to Brady by the President in 1860. It had been Lincoln's chair in the House of Representatives before new chairs were installed in 1857, and it became the most familiar prop in Washington Brady photographs. It would be fitting, of course, for Whitman to have his portrait taken in this symbolic chair.
note
The chair appears to be one used in Brady's Washington studio; the "Lincoln chair" was given to Brady by the President in 1860. It had been Lincoln's chair in the House of Representatives before new chairs were installed in 1857, and it became the most familiar prop in Washington Brady photographs. It would be fitting, of course, for Whitman to have his portrait taken in this symbolic chair.
Note
false
