Gilbert Stuart

As far as portraits of American presidents, Gilbert Stuart was “da man“!


During his career as an artist he painted portraits of the first six presidents. He was unique in that he worked without sketches and began his work directly on the canvas. President John Adams even commented sitting for Stuart was enjoyable since he allowed his subject to move around during the painting process.

Stuart actually began his career at the age of 12 by painting Dr. Hunter’s Spaniels seen below. The painting is exhibited at Hunter House in Newport, Rhode Island.

Every American touches a bit of Stuart’s art every time they use a dollar bill. The Athenaeum or unfinished portrait of George Washington, seen below, is the image that graces the one dollar bill. Over 130 reproductions were painted by Stuart and his daughters though the original was never completed.

Another Stuart portrait became famous during the War of 1812. The Landsdowne Portrait, seen below, hangs in the East Room of the White House. Along with Paul Jennings, a Madison family slave, Dolly Madison saved the painting of Washington from being destroyed when the British burned the White House in August, 1814.

You can find out more about Gilbert Stuart at his museum page