2. STUART WAS KNOWN FOR WORKING WITHOUT THE AID OF
SKETCHES, BEGINNING DIRECTLY UPON THE CANVAS. THIS
WAS VERY UNUSUAL FOR THE TIME PERIOD.
The Skater, 1782, a portrait
of William Grant
Lansdowne portrait of
George Washington (1797)
3. THROUGHOUT HIS CAREER, GILBERT STUART PRODUCED PORTRAITS OF
OVER 1,000 PEOPLE, INCLUDING THE FIRST SIX PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED
STATES.
James Monroe, c. 1817
George Washington
John Adams, c.
1821
oil on wood
James Madison, c.
1821
oil on wood
4. Speaking generally, no penance
is like having one's picture
done. You must sit in a
constrained and unnatural
position, which is a trial to
the temper.
But I should like to sit
to Stuart from the first of
January to the last of
December, for he lets
me do just what I please,
and keeps me constantly
amused by his conversation.
– John Adams
6. THE LANDSDOWN PORTRAIT, GILBERT PAINTED 12 VERSIONS OF THE
PORTRAIT THROUGHOUT HIS LIFE. MOST OF THE U.S. STATES FEATURE A
COPY OF THE PAINTING HANGING IN THEIR STATE CAPITOL.
Notice the difference in this portrait?
