GILBERT STUART
1755 – 1828
EARLY AMERICAN PAINTER
Learning Objectives
• 1) Who Gilbert Stuart?
• 2) Why was he famous?
• 3) What are 2 interesting facts about him?
Gilbert Charles Stuart
was born in Rhode Island in 1755 (before the Revolutionary
War) to Scottish parents who were loyal to England
Elizabeth Patterson Bonaparte
Gilbert Stuart
Gilbert Stuart is widely
considered to be one of
America's foremost
portraitists.
What is a portrait?
Why are portraits so
important during
Stuart’s time period?
The Skater, William Grant
Only rich people could afford to have a portrait painted.
Stuart made a lot of money, but he also spent a lot of
money. He was always in debt .
Portrait of THOMAS JEFFERSON
Throughout his career, Gilbert Stuart produced portraits
of over 1,000 people, including the first six Presidents of
the United States (Washington, Adams, Jefferson,
Madison, Monroe and Adams)
George Washington posed for Stuart 3 times. This is his 3rd
portrait. It was painted during Washington’s 2nd term.
Stuart made lots of copies of this portrait. He sold them to
make money, since he was always spending too much.
Gilbert Stuart's 1796 painting of George Washington is
his most celebrated and famous work. The original
copy was purposely left unfinished by Stuart
Do you think Washington really looked like this?
NOT EXACTLY!
• We know that Washington’s face was scarred
from smallpox, and that had a large mole
under his left ear. Stuart left both out of the
painting. Yet, Stuart’s version of Washington is
what everyone THINKS he looked like.
• In the painting, Washington is wearing his false
teeth… that is why his mouth is closed and why
he looks so uncomfortable. The teeth were
made of wood and his mouth probably hurts!
During the War of 1812, the painting was saved from being
destroyed by British troops. First Lady, Dolly Madison, took the
painting and the Declaration of Independence from the White
House before it was burned down. Stuart’s painting still hangs in
the White House today, across from a painting of Dolly Madison.
• The image of George Washington featured in
the painting has appeared on the United
States one-dollar bill for over a century.
This is funny since Stuart was always short on money!
Gilbert Stuart died in Boston, in 1828, at
the age of 72. He was still in debt.
Today, Stuart's birthplace in Saunderstown, Rhode Island
is open to the public as the Gilbert Stuart Birthplace and
Museum. The museum consists of the original house
Stuart was born in, with copies of paintings from
throughout his career hanging throughout the house.
Gilbert Stuart
In 1940 the U.S. Post Office issued a series of
Postage stamps called the “Famous
Americans Series.” Stuart was chosen to be
featured on one of the stamps.
Learning Objectives
• 1) Who Gilbert Stuart?
• 2) Why was he famous?
• 3) What are 2 interesting facts about him?