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Behind the scenes and activity of the late eighteenth century colonial America there were

those that captured moments for prosperity, in writings and art. One such person was Gilbert

Stuart, portrait painter, to such eminent men of the time as George Washington. His portraits

serve as a lasting window to that part of history and people who lived and served our country.
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Deborah Walker

Professor Tomlinson

History 151

Gilbert Stuart

Gilbert Stuart was an accomplished artist of the late eighteenth century and very early nineteenth

century. His talent for portraits provided him access to the most influential circles of American

society. His respectfulness and dedication to his art made him equally deserving to be among

those he painted.

The birthplace and early home of Gilbert Stuart was at the front of the Petaquamscott Pond, in

Narragansett country, Rhode Island (Mason 1) also currently known as North Kingstown, Rhode

Island (Meschutt). His father, also of the same name, Gilbert Stuart, was a native of Perth,

Scotland. His father was a mill-wright and a political refugee when he came to America at about

twenty years old. Gilbert Stuart senior took on the job as a snuff-grinder, (tobacco) and married

an Elizabeth Anthony (Mason 2). Gilbert Stewart the son was born December 3, 1755

(Meschutt). Gilbert showed artistic drive at an early age, drawing with charcoal and chalk on

any board or fence he could find. His talent was discovered by a well-to-do doctor from

Newport, Dr. William Hunter when making a house call to the Stuart residence asked Mrs. Stuart

who made the drawings in chalk and charcoal on the sides of the barn (Mason 6). This began

Gilbert Stuarts first commissioned painting. Dr. Hunter supplied Gilbert with lodging, paints,

and brushes. Two more portrait requests from prominent citizens of Newport followed. All this

he did by thirteen years of age. After that he was offered more work and he traveled twice to

England, and once to Ireland learning more about his craft.

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Edward Tuckerman, who had a pair of portraits of him and his wife done by 1814 by Stuart,

was cited as saying: Gilbert Stuarts most cherished anticipation was the execution of a portrait

of Washington, cherishing, as he did, the greatest personal admiration of his character (Mason

25). Tuckerman explained how Stuart is drawn to George Washingtons strength of character,

practical talents, and moral energy. He further noted Stuarts artistic skill lies in being able to

depict these characteristics in his painting more so than he could refinement and Natures more

delicate effects (Mason 25). Gilbert Stuart was given the chance. John Jay, American

statesman, provided Stuart with a letter of introduction to Washington. This took place when the

Third United States Congress was in session in 1794 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Mason

explains Stuarts moment of awe, Familiar as was the painter with eminent men, he, (Stuart),

afterward declared that no human being ever awakened in him the sentiment of reverence to

such a degree (Mason 26). This reaction to George Washingtions presence seemed well

deserved. A short time prior, (possibly a few months), to this evenings reception George

Washington had led an army of about 13,000 men to Bedford, Pennsylvania to squelch the

rebellion which had stemmed from Congress passing a 25% sales tax on liquor and was

successful at this show of force that the Federal Government maintained (History.com Staff).

Stuart however grateful for the opportunity to paint George Washington in real life was not

satisfied with this liking of the president and he again obtained permission in 1796 to paint the

president at a sitting and that was acclaimed to be his best known work (Meschutt). . The second

time, April 1796, George Washington sat for his portrait, the head was left unfinished (United

States Senate.gov Staff). The president was 64 years old at the time. It is referred to as the

Athenaeum head because it was owned by the Boston Athenaeum for more than 150 years
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(Staff). Stuart kept this painting to make replicas. This portrait was used for the engraving of

Washington on the one dollar bill.

There were numerous commissions for his work. According to online National Biography on

Stuart written by Meschutt, A list of Stuarts Philadelphia sitters reads like a Whos Who of

federal America. His stay in Washington from 1803 to1805 was equally successful. He then

moved to Boston and remained there for the rest of his life.
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Annotated Bibliography

History.com Staff, Whiskey Rebellion. History.com. 2017

The Whiskey Rebellion started as protests by small producers, farmers and distillers over

Congress passing a 25% sales tax on liquor. The tax collectors were intimidated and

some were harmed. Mob violence resulted in some deaths. George Washington tried to

make peace but ultimately he ended up leading an army of about 13,000 men to

Bedford, Pennsylvania to squelch the rebellion, however the mob leaders had run off. The

whiskey tax problem came full circle, ending in 1802. President Thomas Jefferson and

the Republican Party repealed the tax.

Mason, George C. The Life and Works of Gilbert Stuart. New York: Charles Scribners Sons

1879. Getty Research Institute. gridigitalservices. 7 Aug. 2013.

The Life and Works of Gilbert Stuart was written by George C. Mason, (1820-1894),

architect and author, in collaboration with Miss Jane Stuart, (1812-1888), daughter of

Gilbert Stuart, and an artist in her own right. Unlike the other distinguished men of that

era such as the founding fathers, whose writings, speeches, and public life are well

documented, Gilbert Stuarts genius lies primarily in his portraits. The author describes

the arduous task of collecting bits of information in the form of letters and antidotes,

(which had to be cross-checked for their validity), to piece together this mans history.

Gilbert Stuart, (1755-1828), started life in humble means. At thirteen years old his talent

was spotted by a well-to-do doctor who commissioned him to paint a picture of his two

dogs. The center of his professional and personal aspect of his career was his encounters

with George Washington. He was in awe of this mans greatness and was honored to do
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his portrait. Gilbert Stuarts career rose. He painted many prominent people including

six that were presidents. He was sought after by so many that he sometimes offered just

sketches to keep up with the demand. His last portrait of a woman was of a Mrs. Morris.

His reply of gratitude to her was a lengthy piece of what I would call prose which showed

his talent went beyond his paintings. The latter half of this book, page 125 through page

283, is a catalogue of several hundred paintings, mostly portraits made by the artist.

Meschutt, David. Stuart, Gilbert. American National Biography Online Feb. 2000

This article is a comprehensive biography on Gilbert Stuart. The article begins with

Stuarts origins, North Kingstown, Rhode Island, December 3rd 1755. The biography

recaps his benefactors such as the Doctor who came to his boyhood home and discovered

his talent and then in 1769 Cosmo Alexander, a Scottish painter became his mentor and

journeyed with him to Edinburgh in 1771 but died suddenly and Stuart worked his way

back to America. Stuart returned to Europe, this time England to study and apply his art.

Destitute he was rescued by a fellow American painter Benjamin West and studied with

him four years in England. In 1787 Stuart went from England to Ireland where he again

created exemplary work however he got himself into debt and fled back to America after

an 18 year hiatus. His biggest move was to Philadelphia, which was at that time the

capitol of the United States and obtained sittings from George Washington in the winter

of 1794 or spring of 1795. Not satisfied with this liking of George Washington he again

obtained permission in 1796 to paint the president at a sitting and that was acclaimed to

be his best known work. There were numerous commissions for his work. According to

online National Biography on Stuart written by Meschutt, A list of Stuarts Philadelphia

sitters reads like a Whos Who of federal America. His stay in Washington from 1803
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to1805 was equally successful. He then moved to Boston and remained there for the rest

of his life.

United States Senate.gov Staff. Art and History: George Washington. United States

Senate.gov 2017.

This article covers information about Gilbert Stuart and also George Washington. I chose

this article because it gives some other facts about Gilbert Stuarts paintings that are not

covered in the other biographies. The second time, April 1796, George Washington sat

for his portrait, the head was left unfinished. The president was 64 years old at the time. It

is referred to as the Athenaeum head because it was owned by the Boston Athenaeum for

more than 150 years. Stuart kept this painting to make replicas. This portrait was used

for the engraving of Washington on the one dollar bill.