Gilbert Stuart
In the late 1700’s, most leading Americans wanted their portrait done by Gilbert Stuart. Gilbert Stuart was a skilled painter who painted many portraits of important people. Stuart and his mentor, Cosmo Alexander went to Scotland, London, and Dublin to practice their artistic skills. Stuarts used bold strokes and mainly focused on the faces of his subjects. When working with Benjamin West his styles matured.[3]
As well as his expertise in painting, Stuart was a well mannered gentlemen living with his wife in England. He was however irresponsible with money leaving his wife and children to paint in America new citizens, such as George Washington. Painting important American citizens gave Stuart the money that he wanted. Gilbert’s legacy lived on through his paintings after he died in 1828 in Boston.[4]
In the late 1700’s, most leading Americans wanted their portrait done by Gilbert Stuart. Gilbert Stuart was a skilled painter who painted many portraits of important people. Stuart and his mentor, Cosmo Alexander went to Scotland, London, and Dublin to practice their artistic skills. Stuarts used bold strokes and mainly focused on the faces of his subjects. When working with Benjamin West his styles matured.[3]
As well as his expertise in painting, Stuart was a well mannered gentlemen living with his wife in England. He was however irresponsible with money leaving his wife and children to paint in America new citizens, such as George Washington. Painting important American citizens gave Stuart the money that he wanted. Gilbert’s legacy lived on through his paintings after he died in 1828 in Boston.[4]
Stuart became famous because of “The Skater”, one of his most famous paintings. This paintings depicts a man skating. William Grant asked Stuart to paint his full body. Stuart commonly painted people faces but not their whole body. This was his first painting but it made him famous. “The Skater” is now located at the Royal Academy. George Washington is painted with his whole body in “Washington At Dorchester Heights” Stuart wanted this painting just like “The Skater” to become as famous or even more famous.
George Washington is found in many of Gilbert Stuart’s paintings. Washington posed for many portraits and paintings that became famous. The “Vaughan”, the “Athenaeum” and the “Landsdowne” all show George Washington’s brave virtue.[5] From all of Stuart’s paintings of George Washington, “Washington at Dorchester Heights” shows Washington in the most heroic way.
The “Vaughan” is uncomplicated because it is simply a portrait of George Washington. It makes him look like a normal citizen who would not be a fearless hero during war.
The “Athenaeum” is an unfinished portrait of Washington. During the war, Washington was impatient and always had something to do or something on his mind. He simply could not sit down long enough for Stuart to paint a portrait of him.
The “Lansdowne” shows Washington as a wealthy man. In this painting the focus isn’t on the sword in his hand but Washington’s symbolism as a hero to the new nation.
In each of these paintings, by Gilbert Stuart, Washington was portrayed differently in each; It is interesting that a hero could have so many different roles.
Similar to other artists, Stuart was inspired by the Ancient Greek statue, Apollo Belvedere.[6] This statue is now located in the Metropolitan Museum but was once found in the Vatican. This masterpiece painted by Marcantonio Raimondi, an Italian painter, shows the son of Zeus and the Sun God. The statues figure is identical of how Washington is standing in “Washington at Dorchester Heights”. Gilbert Stuart painted Washington to portray him in a similar manner as Apollo, a powerful Greek god.[7] Stuart helps contribute to how Washington is a hero by painting him as a statuesque hero.