Horatio Gates
ca. 1793-94
Gilbert Stuart, the mastermind behind the George Washington portrait on the dollar bill, captured Revolutionary War general Horatio Gates in this striking 1790s portrait. Gates poses confidently in his dark military uniform, complete with flashy gold epaulettes and a prominent medal, while casually resting his hand on his sword and holding a document. Despite his heroic appearance here, Gates had a mixed military record, famous for a massive victory at Saratoga but also a humiliating defeat at Camden. Stuart's dramatic, stormy background adds a theatrical flair, perfectly fitting the neoclassical style of the era and ensuring this controversial commander looked every bit the founding father.
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