Pen and Ink Drawing
The portrait seen here was likely copied from an image from Henry Clay's 1844 Presidential campaign. Clay is depicted at the center, surrounded by stylized birds and ornamental scrolling, applied in blue and brown ink on paper.
At the bottom is written, "Executed with a metallic pen by Wm. C.G. Coogland Teacher of Penmanship." Not much is known about Coogland, but teaching penmanship was a popular practice in the 18th and 19th centuries. Since most documents were handwritten, it was important for students to learn proper penmanship.
