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Primary sourcePaintingc. 1817

James Monroe

Gilbert Stuart · c. 1817

A portrait of James Monroe by Gilbert Stuart, painted from life around 1817 early in his presidency, now one of the best-known images of him.

This life portrait, painted early in Monroe's presidency, is the best-known image of him.

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Oil portrait of an older man with gray hair, wearing a black coat and white cravat with ruffled jabot, against a soft blue-gray and brown background. He looks toward the viewer with a slight expression.
Gilbert Stuart, James Monroe, c. 1817.

About this source

What it is

This oil portrait of James Monroe was painted around 1817 by Gilbert Stuart, one of the most celebrated American portrait painters of the era, from life as Monroe began his presidency.

Why it matters

Gilbert Stuart painted many of the leading figures of the early United States, and his portrait of Monroe is considered the best-known image of him. Because it was painted from life rather than copied from another image, it is treated as a reliable record of Monroe's appearance as president.

Look closer

  • What choices did the artist make about pose, clothing, and expression, and what might these be meant to suggest about Monroe?
  • Why would a portrait

This painting is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of James Monroe on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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