United States

William Vassall’s wealth came from his family’s plantations in Jamaica, and he was known for his luxurious lifestyle. He is shown here with his son Leonard, who stands beside him and gestures to an open book he is holding. Sargent delineated the details of their finery, such as the son’s polished metal buttons and the father’s smooth silk stockings, and even a dusting of wig powder on his shoulders.

William Vassall’s wealth came from his family’s plantations in Jamaica, and he was known for his luxurious lifestyle. He is shown here with his son Leonard, who stands beside him and gestures to an open book he is holding. Sargent delineated the details of their finery, such as the son’s polished metal buttons and the father’s smooth silk stockings, and even a dusting of wig powder on his shoulders.

The original version of this portrait of George Washington was purchased by Congress in 1832. Like other posthumous portraits of America’s founding fathers, this work both reflected and shaped the cultural forces that transformed Washington into a shared symbol of national identity and unity. Peale’s numerous replicas of this portrait helped to promote America’s ideal of democracy as its true religion—and Washington as its patron saint.

The original version of this portrait of George Washington was purchased by Congress in 1832. Like other posthumous portraits of America’s founding fathers, this work both reflected and shaped the cultural forces that transformed Washington into a shared symbol of national identity and unity. Peale’s numerous replicas of this portrait helped to promote America’s ideal of democracy as its true religion—and Washington as its patron saint.

The British nobleman George Harry Grey succeeded his father as the fifth Earl of Stamford in 1768. He was born and raised in Leicestershire County in the English Midlands, and later served in national politics. West painted many aristocratic portraits—after leaving Pennsylvania for London, he befriended influential people and secured the patronage of the Archbishop of York, who introduced him to King George III. His portraits became sought-after emblems of wealth and status in English society.

The British nobleman George Harry Grey succeeded his father as the fifth Earl of Stamford in 1768. He was born and raised in Leicestershire County in the English Midlands, and later served in national politics. West painted many aristocratic portraits—after leaving Pennsylvania for London, he befriended influential people and secured the patronage of the Archbishop of York, who introduced him to King George III. His portraits became sought-after emblems of wealth and status in English society.

In this portrait, the artist represents the sitter through a collection of symbols that associate him with the mercantile elite of Baltimore: compass, map, and a book of Euclid’s geometry. Mordecai Gist’s assured gaze and self-confident pose reinforce the viewer’s sense that the man represented is comfortably engaged in a career that is his calling. He handles his tools with competence and familiarity, while his fashionable attire attests to his success.

In this portrait, the artist represents the sitter through a collection of symbols that associate him with the mercantile elite of Baltimore: compass, map, and a book of Euclid’s geometry. Mordecai Gist’s assured gaze and self-confident pose reinforce the viewer’s sense that the man represented is comfortably engaged in a career that is his calling. He handles his tools with competence and familiarity, while his fashionable attire attests to his success.

Trumbull served as an aide-de-camp for General George Washington during the American Revolutionary War. This portrait was painted for a friend of Trumbull’s from the war years, John Barker Church, who helped finance the artist’s studies and career in England. Depicted with a rifle, drum, and plumed hat, Church’s son Philip appears ready to follow in his father’s footsteps as a supporter of military causes, and did so when he later became an aide-de-camp to his uncle, Alexander Hamilton.

Trumbull served as an aide-de-camp for General George Washington during the American Revolutionary War. This portrait was painted for a friend of Trumbull’s from the war years, John Barker Church, who helped finance the artist’s studies and career in England. Depicted with a rifle, drum, and plumed hat, Church’s son Philip appears ready to follow in his father’s footsteps as a supporter of military causes, and did so when he later became an aide-de-camp to his uncle, Alexander Hamilton.