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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
Date
1806
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")
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
Credit Line
National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; gift of Henry Cabot Lodge
Restrictions & Rights
CC0
Object number
NPG.79.216
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
