Stuart painted portraits of over a thousand American political and social figures. His work had vitality and naturalness, and he was known for working without sketching, beginning directly upon the canvas (very unusual for the time period). Stuart painted this painting, sometimes called the Athenaeum, from life, then used it to complete 130 copies, selling each for $100 (totaling over $162,549.40 in 2008 dollars!).Stuart is considered to be the best of the early American artists. His scope was limited- most of his paintings were essentially head portraits- but within his limitations, he was a master. None of his contemporaries had a keener insight into character, a finer feeling for the construction of the head, or a surer execution of his talents.
