Early Life and Training
Gilbert Stuart, a renowned American painter, was born on December 3, 1755, in Saunderstown, Rhode Island. He was the third child of Gilbert Stewart, a Scottish immigrant, and Elizabeth Anthony Stewart, a member of a prominent land-owning family from Middletown, Rhode Island. Stuart's artistic talent emerged early, and by the age of six, he had already shown great promise as a painter in Newport, Rhode Island.
Artistic Career
Under the guidance of Scottish artist
Cosmo Alexander, Stuart painted his first notable work,
Dr. Hunter's Spaniels, at the age of 14. This painting is now displayed at the
Hunter House Mansion in Newport. In 1771, Stuart moved to Scotland to finish his studies but returned to Newport three years later due to Alexander's passing.
Stuart's prospects as a portraitist were jeopardized by the American Revolution, leading him to depart for England in 1775. He became a protégé of
Benjamin West and studied with him for six years. Stuart's first full-length portrait,
The Skater, brought him success in 1782.
Notable Works and Legacy
Stuart is widely regarded as one of America's foremost portraitists. His most famous work is the unfinished portrait of
George Washington, begun in 1796, known as
The Athenaeum Portrait. This image has appeared on the United States one-dollar bill for over a century and on various U.S. postage stamps.
Key Works:
Notable Museums featuring Gilbert Stuart's Work:
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