Birthday of an American Portrait Artist

You probably haven't heard his name mentioned today — it would be odd if you had — but today was Gilbert Stuart's birthday.

Perhaps you're familiar with the name, but you're not aware of his role in American history.

Stuart, who was born 253 years ago today, is regarded as America's preeminent portrait artist.

And, while you may not be aware of it, you probably have his most famous portrait in your wallet or purse right now.

I refer to the portrait of George Washington that adorns the $1 bill.

Stuart began work on it in 1796. Washington died in 1799. Stuart's portrait was unfinished, and it remained unfinished when he died in 1828.

That portrait can be seen at the right.

And it's been used as the illustration on the $1 bill for more than a century.

Stuart actually painted several portraits of Washington. One hangs in the East Room of the White House (seen at right).

It happens to be the portrait that first lady Dolley Madison took with her when she fled from the oncoming British troops who were burning Washington during the War of 1812.

Stuart also holds the distinction of having painted the portraits of the first six presidents in American history. He died before the seventh president, Andrew Jackson, was elected.

He painted more than 1,000 portraits in his lifetime — kings, generals, socialites and other painters as well as presidents and their wives. Stuart also painted a portrait of the first chief justice of the United States And his work can be seen in the finest art museums in America — New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art, Washington's National Gallery of Art and Boston's Museum of Fine Arts — as well as overseas.