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Clause Coops (1876-1940) Oil Montana Senator

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:450.00 USD Estimated At:1,500.00 - 2,000.00 USD
Clause Coops (1876-1940) Oil Montana Senator
For your consideration is this large, oil on canvas painting of U.S. Senator Thomas James Walsh done by Clausen Coope (1876-1940) in 1909. Thomas James Walsh was a lawyer and politician from the United States who represented Montana in the Senate. On June 12, 1859, he was born in Two Rivers, Wisconsin. Walsh is best known for his involvement in the Teapot Dome scandal investigation, which exposed corruption in President Warren G. Harding's administration. Walsh relocated to Helena, Montana, where he successfully started a law practice after finishing his education. His political involvement led to him joining the Democratic Party. Walsh was chosen to represent Montana in the United States Senate in 1913. From 1913 to 1933, he held two terms in the Senate. During the 1920s, Senator Walsh rose to national prominence as the chairman of the Senate Committee on Naval Affairs. He oversaw the Teapot Dome scandal investigation in this capacity, which was one of the biggest political scandals in American history. The scandal involved Secretary of the Interior Albert B. Fall leasing federal oil reserves improperly in exchange for kickbacks. Walsh's investigation contributed to the corruption being made public and resulted in the conviction and imprisonment of several senior government figures. Walsh worked on a variety of significant issues during his time in the Senate, such as labor rights, women's suffrage, and agriculture. He supported President Woodrow Wilson's administration and promoted progressive policies. Senator Walsh's career was unfortunately ended prematurely by his passing. He passed away on March 2, 1933, while still a senator, at the age of 73. The painting is set in a large, gorgeous gold painted frame featuring a gold colored plaque reading, "United States Senator Thomas James Walsh (1913-1933) Born 1859 Died 1933 / By Clausen Coops 1909 / A great man of politics in Montana and the nation Wilsonian Democrats and confident of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, forgotten by history while his struggle for social justice continues". The painting shows Senator Walsh standing next to his desk with one hand holding a stack of papers on his desk. He is wearing a suit and button up white shirt with his collars upright as he looks towards the viewer. In the bottom right hand corner, the artist's signed his name reading, "Clause Coops" in black paint. The painting shows fair to good condition with some missing paint, slight tears and cracking to the paint. The frame shows good condition with some wear such as chipping in the frame and paint but no obvious signs of damage are noted. The visible art measures 60 3/4" L x 29 1/2" W, while the entire piece measures 73 3/4" L x 42 3/4" W.