Portrait Artists

National Gallery, Scotland

I love a good mystery. For example, who painted the portrait of Ulysses S. Grant on the $50 bill? That question inspired this my 50th blog post. Congratulate me!

I've always loved portraits and there was a time when I would sketch (from memory) caricatures of my family, friends, and co-workers. Many recognizable artists have painted themselves (See my Self-Portraits post), especially Rembrandt who couldn't afford to pay models to sit for him. Now, I'd like to focus on portraits of their subjects.

I've already discussed da Vinci's Madam Lisa Giocondo (Mona Lisa) and Vermeer's Griet (Girl with a Pearl Earring).

National Gallery, London

Besides Rembrandt, my favorite portrait artist has to be John Singer Sargent. His figures have an elegance about them, more so than the formality of posed royal subjects (e.g.) by Sir Joshua Reynolds. Many such paintings are more about capturing the folds of a velvet gown or lavish gold thread patterns and textures in the royal garments or capturing moments in history or acclaimed victories.

Sir Joshua Reynolds (1874) by Gilbert Stuart

Van Gogh, Manet, and Matisse also did portraits, but they excelled in other areas, in my opinion. Renoir and Degas painted individuals or groups of people often in graceful compositions. Other artists -- Picasso, Kahlo, Klimt, van Eyck, and even American artist Grant Wood ("American Gothic" farm couple) -- all had their own unique style of portraiture.

Self-Portrait, Gilbert Stuart

I'd like to focus on some of the lesser-known artists responsible for the images of historic figures found on our U.S. currency. It’s difficult to discover which artists were responsible for the art used for such engravings. I knew about Gilbert Stuart, his many (130) portraits of George Washington, and the one unfinished painting from which the dollar bill got the likeness for its engraving.

It appears to be totally possible that he also painted the portrait of

Thomas Jefferson for the two-dollar bill.

Alexander Hamilton (1805), Trumbull

The rest of the currency artists, though seemingly anonymous, still make for interesting reading. Hamilton’s portrait on the $10 bill may have been painted by either Otis Porritt, Caroline L. Ormes Ransom, or most likely, John Trumbull. Another mystery is who painted the portrait of Ulysses S. Grant on the $50 bill. Perhaps a trip to the Smithsonian in Washington D.C. could solve it!

Lincoln Photo (1864), Brady

Portrait artists for Lincoln, Jackson, and Franklin seem to be Mathew Brady, Thomas Sully, and Joseph Duplessis, respectively.







Banknotes around the world are much more colorful than those here in the United States. In addition to portraits of its countrymen or architectural symbols, they also depict their flora and fauna. Scotland's £50 note displays a portrait of Sir Walter Scott on one side and the amazing Falkirk Wheel on the other. The Scottish historian, historical novelist, playwright, and poet is quoted as having said, "Oh what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive!". Here's another that is hopefully appropriate for today's pandemic: "Look back, and smile on perils past." Unfortunately, like many of the expressions captured in these somber portraits, I won't be smiling. Instead, I'll be breathing a sigh of relief!

Andrew Jackson portrait (1852), Sully

Franklin portrait (1785), Duplessis

These faces became familiar to most Americans through the constant use of their monetary denominations in our day-to-day lives.

Do you have a favorite portrait? What's your favorite work of art? Who is your favorite artist?