Alexander Hamilton

Object Details

Artist

John Trumbull, 6 Jun 1756 - 10 Nov 1843

Copy after

Giuseppe Ceracchi, 4 Jul 1751 - 31 Jan 1801

Sitter

Alexander Hamilton, 11 Jan 1757 - 11 Jul 1804

Exhibition Label

Born Nevis, West Indies

Despite the many hardships he experienced during his childhood in the Caribbean, Alexander Hamilton went on to become one of the foremost statesmen of the United States. The drive and intelligence he demonstrated while still in his teens convinced wealthy patrons to send Hamilton to New York to study at King’s College (now Columbia University). An early champion of independence from Britain, he enlisted in the Continental Army and became a valued member of George Washington’s staff.

Following the Revolution, Hamilton advocated for a strong national government. With John Jay and James Madison, he co-authored the Federalist Papers, which urged ratification of the United States Constitution. While serving as the first secretary of the treasury (1789–95), he laid the groundwork for a strong republic by promoting a national bank and encouraging commerce and manufacturing. Offended by a supposed insult, Vice President Aaron Burr fatally shot Hamilton in a duel in 1804.

Nacido en Nieves, Antillas Menores

Pese a las muchas adversidades que sufrió durante su niñez en el Caribe, Alexander Hamilton llegó a ser uno de los estadistas más prominentes de Estados Unidos. Al ver su ímpetu e inteligencia siendo aún adolescente, un grupo de benefactores ricos lo envío a Nueva York a estudiar en el King’s College (hoy Universidad de Columbia). Temprano defensor de la independencia de las colonias inglesas, se alistó en el Ejército Continental y llegó a ser un apreciado miembro del equipo de oficiales de George Washington.

Tras la Revolución, Hamilton abogó por un gobierno nacional fuerte. Junto a John Jay y James Madison escribió los “Artículos del Federalista”, donde instaban a ratificar la Constitución de Estados Unidos. Como primer secretario del Tesoro (1789–95) sentó las bases para una república sólida, promoviendo la creación de un banco nacional y fomentando el comercio y la manufactura. Ofendido por un supuesto insulto, el vicepresidente Aaron Burr mató de un balazo a Hamilton en un duelo en 1804.

Provenance

Henry Cabot Lodge; his son George C. Lodge; gift to NPG 1979

Credit Line

National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; gift of Henry Cabot Lodge

1806

Object number

NPG.79.216

Restrictions & Rights

CC0

Type

Painting

Medium

Oil on canvas

Dimensions

Stretcher: 77.5 x 62.2 x 3.5cm (30 1/2 x 24 1/2 x 1 3/8")

Frame: 89.2 x 73.7 x 9.2cm (35 1/8 x 29 x 3 5/8")

See more items in

National Portrait Gallery Collection

Exhibition

Out of Many: Portraits from 1600 to 1900

On View

NPG, East Gallery 140

National Portrait Gallery

Topic

Alexander Hamilton: Male

Alexander Hamilton: Law and Crime\Lawyer

Alexander Hamilton: Literature\Writer

Alexander Hamilton: Military and Intelligence\Army\Officer\Revolutionary War Army officer

Alexander Hamilton: Politics and Government\Cabinet member\Secretary of Treasury

Alexander Hamilton: Politics and Government\Congressman\Continental congressman

Portrait

Record ID

npg_NPG.79.216

Metadata Usage (text)

CC0

GUID (Link to Original Record)

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/sm4bb4063c2-742a-4001-b058-c44558749058