The unfinished likeness of George Washington, begun in 1796 and known as the Athenaeum Portrait, defined the visual legacy of a president for over a century. Painted by Gilbert Stuart, this work serves as the enduring model for the image featured on the United States one-dollar bill, solidifying the artist's place in American iconography.
Early Development and Training
Born in 1755 in North Kingstown, Rhode Island, Gilbert Stuart received his foundational training under the Scottish artist Cosmo Alexander. By age 14, he had produced Dr. Hunter's Spaniels, which currently resides in the Hunter House Mansion. In 1771, Stuart traveled to Scotland to pursue further study, though he returned to Newport by 1773 following the death of his mentor.
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In 1775, Stuart relocated to England, eventually becoming a protégé of Benjamin West in 1777. His career trajectory accelerated after the 1782 success of his full-length portrait, The Skater. Despite achieving financial success that rivaled prominent British peers, his chronic mismanagement of funds forced him to flee to Dublin in 1787 to avoid debtors' prison, where he continued to paint.
Focus on American Political Figures
Stuart returned to the United States in 1793 with the specific aim of painting George Washington. After settling in the Germantown section of Philadelphia in 1795, he secured sessions with the president. Beyond Washington, Stuart executed portraits of various influential figures, including John Jay and Thomas Jefferson. His portraiture of Jefferson, specifically the 1805 commission, became a subject of historical investigation after a later restoration revealed an earlier 1800 portrait hidden beneath the paint surface.
Legacy of the Athenaeum and Lansdowne Portraits
Stuart maintained an active career until his death in 1828 in Boston, where he was buried in Massachusetts. He produced roughly 1,000 portraits during his lifetime, including the first six United States presidents. His work, characterized by Neoclassical sensibilities, is housed in major institutions like the National Gallery of Art and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, representing a significant portion of American portraiture.
Fast facts
- Born: 1755, North Kingstown
- Died: 1828, Boston
- Primary Field: Portrait painting
- Movement: Neoclassicism
- Notable Work: Lansdowne Portrait
- Subjects: First six U.S. Presidents
- Career Locations: London, Dublin, Philadelphia, Washington D.C.
Questions readers ask
Why is the Athenaeum Portrait considered unfinished?
Stuart deliberately left the background and clothing of the portrait incomplete, retaining the original canvas so he could produce numerous copies for sale at $100 each.
Where can the original Athenaeum Portrait be seen?
It was jointly purchased in 1980 by the National Portrait Gallery and the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, and is generally on display in the National Portrait Gallery.
Achievements
- Notable work: John Jones of Frankley
- Notable work: Mrs. Stephen Peabody
- Notable work: Lansdowne Portrait
- Movement: Neoclassicism
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