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Primary sourcePainting1823

Portrait of the Marquis de Lafayette

Ary Scheffer · 1823

Ary Scheffer's full-length portrait of Lafayette, given to the US Congress during Lafayette's 1824 visit and still hanging in the House chamber.

This portrait of Lafayette, which he considered his truest likeness, was given to Congress during his 1824 American tour.

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Full-length oil painting of a man in a brown overcoat over dark waistcoat and trousers, with a white cravat, holding a black top hat and a reddish walking cane, standing on a sandy hill under a dramatic cloudy sky.
Ary Scheffer, Portrait of the Marquis de Lafayette, 1823. United States House of Representatives.

About this source

What it is

This oil painting by the Dutch artist Ary Scheffer shows Lafayette full-length, in a brown overcoat, holding a top hat and cane. The original was painted in 1819; Scheffer, a close friend of Lafayette, made copies in 1822-23, one of which traveled with Lafayette to America in 1824-25. That copy was given to Congress and today hangs in the House of Representatives chamber.

Why it matters

Lafayette himself considered this image the likeness that most resembled him among the many portraits made of him. Its gift to Congress marked his 1824 visit to the United States, when he became the first foreign dignitary to address a joint session of Congress. The painting's popularity led to many copies and imitations, showing how celebrated Lafayette was in America.

Look closer

  • What does the setting and pose suggest about how Scheffer wanted Lafayette to be remembered?
  • Why would Congress want this specific portrait displayed in its chamber?
  • What does the widespread copying of this image tell you about Lafayette's fame?

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

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Letter from George Washington to Lafayette, 28 April 1788

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