James Monroe
c. 1817
Gilbert Stuart, the man behind the George Washington on your dollar bill, painted this portrait of James Monroe right as he was taking office in 1817. The dramatic red curtain and the papers in his hand are classic Neoclassical touches, meant to scream 'important, busy statesman.' Yet, despite the fancy gold chair and formal black coat, Stuart captures a surprisingly weary, human look in Monroe's eyes—perhaps hinting at the massive headache of running a young country.
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