The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of May 16, 2026

A vertically oriented color lithograph depicts a slender man with a light skin tone in profile facing our right against a tan background. He wears a tall black top hat, a gray tailcoat over a high white collar, and light gray trousers. His right hand holds a thin cane. He features a prominent nose and curly sideburns. Inscribed below the print are the words "STATESMEN, No. 26." and "'When Birth cannot lead, Brains must.'"

Vanity Fair: Statesman No. 26 "When Birth cannot lead, Brains must."

1869

Carlo (Ape) Pellegrini

(Italian, 1839–1889)
published by

Vanity Fair. (Boston: Frame Central, 1992.) p. 1, 31 July, 1869, S. No. 26

Italy, 19th century
color lithograph
Sheet: 37.6 x 24.9 cm (14 13/16 x 9 13/16 in.); Image: 31.6 x 19.5 cm (12 7/16 x 7 11/16 in.)
Bequest of John Bonebrake 2014.274
Location: Not on view
  • {{cite web|title=Vanity Fair: Statesman No. 26 "When Birth cannot lead, Brains must."|url=false|author=Carlo (Ape) Pellegrini, Vanity Fair. (Boston: Frame Central, 1992.) p. 1, 31 July, 1869, S. No. 26|year=1869|access-date=16 May 2026|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/2014.274