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Thomas Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson
Associated Title
Series: The American Kings
Attribution
Nicolas Eustache Maurin, 1799 - 1850
Copy after
Gilbert Stuart, 3 Dec 1755 - 9 Jul 1828
Lithographer
Pendleton Lithography Company, active c. 1825 - 1836
Sitter
Thomas Jefferson, 13 Apr 1743 - 4 Jul 1826
Date
c. 1828
Type
Print
Medium
Lithograph on paper
Dimensions
Image: 29.2 × 24.5 cm (11 1/2 × 9 5/8")
Sheet: 40.5 × 34.7 cm (15 15/16 × 13 11/16")
Mat: 56.1 × 40.9 cm (22 1/16 × 16 1/8")
Topic
Home Furnishings\Furniture\Seating\Chair
Printed Material\Book
Home Furnishings\Furniture\Table
Printed Material\Papers
Artwork\Sculpture\Bust
Equipment\Drafting & Writing Implements\Writing implement\Pen\Quill
Container\Inkwell
Thomas Jefferson: Male
Thomas Jefferson: Law and Crime\Lawyer
Thomas Jefferson: Politics and Government\Congressman\Continental congressman
Thomas Jefferson: Politics and Government\Statesman\Colonial statesman\Signer of Declaration
Thomas Jefferson: Politics and Government\Vice-President of US
Thomas Jefferson: Natural Resource Occupations\Agriculturist\Farmer
Thomas Jefferson: Visual Arts\Architect
Thomas Jefferson: Politics and Government\President of US
Thomas Jefferson: Politics and Government\Cabinet member\Secretary of State
Thomas Jefferson: Politics and Government\Diplomat\Minister
Thomas Jefferson: Science and Technology\Inventor
Thomas Jefferson: Politics and Government\US Congressman\Virginia
Thomas Jefferson: Politics and Government\Governor\Virginia
Thomas Jefferson: Education and Scholarship\Founder\University
Portrait
Credit Line
National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution
Restrictions & Rights
CC0
Object number
NPG.87.58.3
Exhibition Label
Born Shadwell, Virginia
A scientist, an Enlightenment philosopher, and one of the most accomplished – and complicated – personalities in American history, Thomas Jefferson authored the Declaration of Independence and served his country as statesman, diplomat, and president. In 1803, during his first term as president, he orchestrated the Louisiana Purchase, which doubled the size of the United States and established the nation as a continental power. This expansion, more than any other, forced politicians to confront the U.S. economy’s dependence on slavery. Jefferson, who enslaved more than six hundred African Americans in his adult life, wrestled with the rift between his philosophical beliefs and his reliance on bondage.
This lithograph reproduces a painting by Gilbert Stuart that was destroyed in an 1851 fire at the U.S. Capitol. In addition to highlighting Jefferson’s contributions to some of the foundational documents of the United States, it references his friendship with fellow diplomat and inventor Benjamin Franklin, who is represented by a sculpted bust.
Nacido en Shadwell, Virginia
Científico, filósofo ilustrado y una de las personalidades más talentosas y complejas de la historia estadounidense, Thomas Jefferson redactó de la Declaración de Independencia y sirvió a su país como estadista, diplomático y presidente. En 1803, durante su primer término presidencial, gestionó la compra de Luisiana, lo cual duplicó el territorio de EE.UU. y estableció al país como potencia continental. Esta expansión, más que ninguna otra, forzó a los políticos a confrontar el grado en que la economía estadounidense dependía de la esclavitud. Jefferson, quien en su adultez tuvo esclavizados a más 600 afroamericanos, vivió luchando con el dilema entre sus convicciones filosóficas y su relación con la labor esclava.
Esta litografía reproduce un retrato pintado por Gilbert Stuart y destruido en 1851 por un incendio en el Capitolio de la nación. Además de destacar las aportaciones de Jefferson a varios documentos fundacionales de Estados Unidos, la imagen alude a su amistad con el diplomático e inventor Benjamin Franklin, representado en un busto.
Data Source
National Portrait Gallery
Location
Currently not on view