Thomas Jefferson
c. 1821
Gilbert Stuart, the artist famous for painting the George Washington on the dollar bill, captured Thomas Jefferson here around 1821, just a few years before the President's death. Notice the shock of unruly white hair? It gives the third U.S. President a bit of a 'mad genius' look, which fits a man who designed his own home and collected fossils. Stuart uses a dark, moody background to make Jefferson's face and crisp white cravat pop, a classic Neoclassical trick to emphasize dignity and intellect. It’s a fascinating look at a founding father in his twilight years, looking thoughtful and perhaps a bit tired of politics.
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