Object Details
- Artist
- John Vanderlyn, 15 Oct 1775 - 23 Sep 1852
- Sitter
- James Monroe, 28 Apr 1758 - 4 Jul 1831
- Exhibition Label
- Fifth president, 1817–1825
- James Monroe continued the Virginia dynasty of Democratic-Republican presidents that had been interrupted only by the tenure of John Adams. As one of the last Founding Fathers to remain politically active in 1820, most people considered him to be unopposed in his bid for a second term. His success reflected the Era of Good Feelings—the period following the War of 1812 that was marked by the temporary suspension of two-party factionalism. The Monroe Doctrine, the enduring legacy of his administration, articulated opposition to European meddling in the Western Hemisphere and became a keystone of American foreign policy. When Monroe was first elected, in 1816, the majority of voters did not know what he looked like. His friend John Vanderlyn, who had recently returned from studying art in Paris, painted two portraits of him. Monroe gave one to his friend James Madison and kept this one. With the careful rendering of Monroe’s features, the highly finished surface, and the clarity of lighting, Vanderlyn’s painting exemplifies the French neoclassical style that was prevalent at the time. The image was quickly engraved for public dissemination.
- 5o presidente, 1817–1825
- James Monroe continuó la dinastía virginiana de presidentes demócratas-republicanos interrumpida por la administración de John Adams. Por ser unode los últimos Padres Fundadores que permanecían políticamente activos en 1820, casi todo el mundo creía que no tendría oposición en su postulación para un segundo término presidencial. Su éxito reflejó la “era de la concordia”, el período que siguió a la Guerra de 1812, marcado por la suspension provisional del faccionalismo partidista. El legado perdurable de su administración fue la Doctrina Monroe, que articulaba la oposición a la interferencia europea en el hemisferio occidental y se convirtió en piedra angular de la política exterior estadounidense. Cuando Monroe fue electo por primera vez, en 1816, la mayoría de los votantes no conocían su rostro. Su amigo John Vanderlyn —quien regresaba de estudiar arte en París— pintó dos retratos suyos. Monroe le obsequió uno a su amigo James Madison y conservó este. Con su cuidado trazo de los rasgos de Monroe, su pulida superficie y abundante luz, la pintura de Vanderlyn ejemplifica el estilo neoclásico francés prevaleciente en aquel momento. La imagen se reprodujo pronto en grabado para difundirse entre el público.
- Provenance
- Emily C. Johnson, Frederick, Maryland, descendant of Monroe; sold 1970 to NPG.
- Credit Line
- National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution
- 1816
- Object number
- NPG.70.59
- Restrictions & Rights
- CC0
- Type
- Painting
- Medium
- Oil on canvas
- Dimensions
- Stretcher: 67.3 × 57.2cm (26 1/2 × 22 1/2")
- Frame: 87 x 78.1 x 10.2cm (34 1/4 x 30 3/4 x 4")
- See more items in
- National Portrait Gallery Collection
- Exhibition
- America's Presidents (Reinstallation September 2017)
- On View
- NPG, South Gallery 240
- National Portrait Gallery
- Topic
- James Monroe: Male
- James Monroe: Law and Crime\Lawyer
- James Monroe: Politics and Government\Government official\State Legislator\Virginia
- James Monroe: Military and Intelligence\Army\Officer\Revolutionary War
- James Monroe: Politics and Government\Government official\Congressman\Continental congressman
- James Monroe: Politics and Government\Government official\Cabinet member\Secretary of War
- James Monroe: Military and Intelligence\Army\Officer\Captain
- James Monroe: Politics and Government\Government official\President of US
- James Monroe: Arts and Culture\Education and Scholarship\Administrator\University administrator\University trustee
- James Monroe: Politics and Government\Government official\Cabinet member\Secretary of State
- James Monroe: Politics and Government\Diplomat\Minister
- James Monroe: Politics and Government\Government official\Governor\Virginia
- Portrait
- Record ID
- npg_NPG.70.59
- GUID (Link to Original Record)
- http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/sm4141ff3d1-6cd0-4195-8bfc-2b00923104d3
