Stephen Fuller Austin: Politics and Government\Statesman
Stephen Fuller Austin: Law and Crime\Judge
Stephen Fuller Austin: Business and Finance\Banking and Finance\Banker
Stephen Fuller Austin: Natural Resource Occupations\Pioneer\Frontiersman
Stephen Fuller Austin: Politics and Government\Governor\Texas
Portrait
Credit Line
National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution
Restrictions & Rights
CC0
Object number
NPG.93.380
Exhibition Label
Born Wythe County, Virginia
In 1821, Stephen Austin established the first settlement of Anglo-Americans in Mexico’s largely uninhabited Texas territory, where his late father had secured a land grant. The colony thrived and expanded, and, with the Mexican government’s blessing, Austin emerged as the primary governing authority. When Mexico banned slavery in 1829, Austin resisted, and an exception was soon granted. A firm believer that his interests were best served under Mexican rule, Austin helped ensure Texas remained a part of Mexico for as long as it did.
It was with reluctance that Austin joined other Anglo-Americans in the war for Texas’s independence from Mexico in 1836. Ultimately, even that hesitation was not enough to diminish the great admiration he engendered as the founder of Texas. During the late 1830s, a commemorative portrait of Austin (resembling this painting) appeared on fifty-dollar notes issued by the Republic of Texas.
Nacido en Wythe County, Virginia
En 1821, Stephen Austin estableció el primer asentamiento angloamericano en el territorio de Texas, perteneciente a México, donde su difunto padre había obtenido una concesión de tierras. La colonia creció y, con la bendición del gobierno mexicano, Austin se convirtió en la principal autoridad administrativa. Cuando México abolió la esclavitud en 1829, Austin se resistió y pronto le concedieron una excepción. Convencido de que le convenía estar bajo el dominio de México, ayudó a mantener a Texas como territorio mexicano en tanto fue posible.
Austin se unió con renuencia a los otros angloamericanos en la guerra por independizar a Texas de México en 1836. Pero ni esa vacilación logró empañar la gran admiración que inspiró este hombre como fundador de Texas. A fines de la década de 1830, la República de Texas emitió un billete de 50 dólares con un retrato conmemorativo de Austin similar a esta pintura.
Provenance
Eugene K. Austin; Mrs. William P. Harris, Long Island; her granddaughter Carey Haus Beverly, Portsmouth, Va.; purchased 1993 NPG
