Lack of an American sculptural tradition compelled Jefferson to look to France for this portrait of Washington.
Early Republic
Fresh water for a young Philadelphia
Thomas Birch, Fairmount Water Works
"We have met the enemy and they are ours." The battle that turned the War of 1812
Thomas Birch, Perry’s Victory on Lake Erie
How a portrait of an African Muslim came to hang side-by-side with the founding fathers in one of America's earliest museums.
An African Muslim among the founding fathers, ...
Jefferson’s “academical village” for living and learning is crowned by a building inspired by the Pantheon.
Thomas Jefferson, Rotunda, University of Virginia
Trumbull traveled up and down the Eastern Seaboard to paint the members of the Continental Congress from life.
John Trumbull, The Declaration of Independence
What couldn’t Peale do? He is shown as he saw himself: portraitist, naturalist, curator, and Enlightenment thinker.
Charles Willson Peale, The Artist in His ...
Peale’s sons beckon us up the stairs, but be careful—it might hurt!
Charles Willson Peale, Staircase Group (Portrait of Raphaelle ...
Depicting his subject in motion was a departure from the norm, making this painting the talk of the town.
Gilbert Stuart, The Skater
Unusually early for an American artist, Vanderlyn trained in France—but Old World style didn’t sell in America.
John Vanderlyn, Ariadne Asleep on the Island ...
In addition to being a politician, Jefferson was an ardent supporter and practitioner of classical architecture.
Thomas Jefferson, Monticello
Presidential portraits of George Washington were Stuart’s bread and butter when he returned to his native America.
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