The Skater

Gilbert Charles Stuart (né Stewart; Saunderstown, Rhode Island, America, 3rd December 1755 – Boston, Massachusetts, America, 9th July 1828)

Self Portrait, 1778

Today marks the anniversary of the birth of Gilbert Stuart, one of the greatest portrait artists in American history. His work is part of the fabric of his homeland even today and features on the dollar bill, as well as a long and illustrious career on postage stamps thanks to his numerous paintings of Presidents!

The work that has caught my eye today is The Skater, a 1782 oil painting commissioned from Stuart in one year earlier. By this time he had been living in England for four years and serving as apprentice to apprentice to Benjamin West; during this time he attracted a great deal of attention for his portraits, exhibiting to some acclaim at the Royal Academy.

In 1781 Stuart was approached by William Grant, a Scot who had designs on becoming the subject of the artist's first full-length portrait. Although apprehensive of embarking on the project, Stuart accepted and it was duly agreed that Grant would sit for the artist in a traditional pose.

On the day of the sitting, both artist and subject remarked on the crisp coldness of the air and discovered that they shared an enthusiasm for ice skating. As is so often the case one thing led to another and soon the painting was abandoned in favour of a trip to Hyde Park to skate on the frozen Serpentine. Here the men drew admiring onlookers as they showed off their skating prowess, spending the afternoon enjoying the outdoors in an all-too familiar display of procrastination.

The Skater by Gilbert Stuart, 1782

As the shadows lengthened and the ice grew hazardous, they finally returned to the studio and Stuart began the portrait. He found himself perfectly distracted by thoughts of the afternoon just passed and suggested to Grant that he might paint him as he had been just hours earlier, skating flamboyantly upon the Serpentine. Grant agreed with enthusiasm and Stuart set to work.

Set apart from the other, distant skaters, Grant cuts a fine and fashionable figure upon the ice. Although one can glimpse the city on the horizon it might be a hundred miles away or more for all its import to those enjoying the simple pleasure of skating. However, though he is not alone on the ice, Grant utterly dominates the scene. His dark clothes stand out against the pale background and he looks away from us and off of the canvas, at something we cannot see.

The painting was exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1782 to great acclaim, attracting admiration for the unusual concept and the masterful execution. Stuart found his career catapulted into the stratosphere by the painting, the artist suddenly in high demand from the finest patrons. He was an apprentice no longer, and his life would never be the same.

The Death of Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry

Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry (South Kingstown, Rhode Island, America, 23rd August 1785 – Trinidad, 23rd August 1819) 

Oliver Hazard Perry by Gilbert Stuart, 1818

Today marks the anniversary of both the birth and death of the famed American Naval Commodore, Oliver Hazard Perry. Controversial and celebrated in equal measure, he is memorialised today in the form of monuments, buildings and numerous place names.

Perry served to great acclaim in the War of 1812, among others, and was highly decorated for his exploits, even if he was not always the most politic of gentlemen.

In addition to his naval career, Perry was known for his efforts to combat piracy and in 1819 he was due to meet with Simon Bolivar to discuss measures again pirates in the Caribbean. To this end, he was on board the USS Nonsuch, returning from Venezuela and an expedition up the Orinoco River. Mosquitos were a persistent problem and during the long, hot summer, Perry contracted yellow fever as a result of the insects.

With the Commodore declining fast, the crew of the Nonsuch made desperate efforts to reach Trinidad and medical care but their efforts were destined to fail. As the ship approached the island Perry died on the day he reached the age of thirty four. Initially buried in Port of Spain, Trinidad, his remains were later reclaimed and moved to Newport, Rhode Island, near his childhood home. 

A Portrait of Gilbert Stuart

It is no secret that I can pass many happy hours perusing artworks of the long 18th century and the painting that has caught my eye today is one of the most striking I think I have seen. It has certainly struck a chord with some of my Pinterest followers, so I thought I would share my thoughts on it here today.

The painting is the work of Rhode Island artist, Gilbert Stuart, who was born in 1755 and is perhaps best remembered for the Lansdowne portrait of George Washington, which today hangs in the Smithsonian and is partially featured on the dollar bill. Apparently painted at some point in the mid-1780s, the identity of the man in the painting remained unconfirmed until 1965 when Charles M Mount, Stuart's biographer, suggested that it was a self-portrait and this has since been accepted as fact.

Stuart spent many years in England throughout the 1770s and 1780s and here he learned the technical skill that this painting so keenly displays. It is rich in detail and vibrant with life, the rosy-cheeked Stuart looks out of the canvas with one eyebrow just slightly raised, a somewhat knowing look on his face. There is something almost arrogant in his self assurance and yet I don't find it off-putting, rather it speaks of confidence, of a chap fully at ease with his own place in the world.

If Stuart meant to make his mark then the result was admirably achieved. After nearly 20 years away from his home country, the artist returned home to a life of celebrity but, sadly, crippling debt. His end would not be a happy one for now let's leave him here, half-smiling from the canvas and imbued with unshakeable confidence.

George Washington: Death of a President

George Washington (Westmoreland, Virginia, America, 22nd February 1732 - Mount Vernon, Virginia, America, 14th December 1799)

George Washington by Gilbert Stuart, 1797

Most of our time here at the Guide is spent gadding about on European soil, yet today marks the anniversary of the death of George Washington and, since I share my abode with a colonial gentleman, it seems only right to commemorate this occasion.

The weather in Virginia in December 1799 was foul, winter growing deeper with each passing day. Despite the freezing rain and deep snow, however, George Washington spent hours outdoors as he made inspections of his plantation. When he finally returned to shelter in search of food and warmth he was freezing, no doubt glad for home and hearth.

The following morning Washington awoke to face the day and found himself suffering from a painfully sore throat. Once again though there was plantation work to be done and he travelled abroad in the heavily falling snow, spending hours outside. He retired to bed that night with no respite from the sore throat that had plagued him, waking in the early hours of 14th December barely able to breathe, let alone speak.

With no physician on hand an estate manager was summoned and Washington instructed him to begin bloodletting, in total removing approximately half of pint of blood. Meanwhile, the president's personal physician, Dr James Craik, was summoned, along with Dr Gustavus Brown and Dr Elisha Dick. Upon consulting their illustrious patient the three medics disagreed on their diagnoses yet all were of one mind that further bloodletting must take place and, in the next few hours, almost half the blood in Washington's body was removed. Dick was adamant that the problem was an inflammation of the throat that could only be cured by performing a tracheotomy yet the unfamiliar procedure was rarely undertaken and the more experienced men rejected the proposal out of hand.

With every treatment failing, the doctors laboured on until Washington died at 10pm, uttering his final words, "Tis well." Almost immediately the three physicians were called to account for his death, a tragedy which many believed had been caused by the extreme amount of bloodletting Washinton had endured. As they defended their actions and reputations George Washington was laid to rest at Mount Vernon four days after his death, leaving a nation to mourn.