The purpose of this paper is to give a report on my trip to the Metropolitan Museum of Art at 1000 5th Avenue, New York, NY 10028. The connection between the museum’s location and American history is very significant, as New York City was the capital of the US between 1785 and 1790. It also became one of the country’s most important ports by 1810, and was the arrival place of more than 12 million immigrants. When I was at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, I tried to find out as much as I could about ex-President George Washington and other ex-presidents by looking at their paintings and what was written about them, and making a note of the history reports that were available. In this paper I write what I learned about George Washington and three other presidents. My thesis statement is: There is interesting information on George Washington to learn from at the Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art.
George Washington Paintings
As soon as I arrived at the museum, my first point of call was to look for paintings of the former President, George Washington. The first one I found was by the artist Charles Willson Peale. It is an extremely prominent huge 95 x 61 ¾ inch oil on canvas portrait dated ca. 1779–81. I learned that in 1779, the artist made a visit to the Trenton and Princeton battlefields, in order to draw sketches of the panorama. In this portrait, Washington is pictured after the Trenton Battle, which I learned was the changing element in the war.
I also found a very impressive and extremely well preserved oil on canvas portrait by the artist, John Trumbull. It is dated 1780, and the dimensions are approximately 36 x 28 inches. The Hudson River is in background of the painting, and in the foreground President Washington is with Billy Lee, his servant, who is in attendance, standing behind him. This is a poignant painting, as the scenery across the Hudson displays West Point, where a red and white banner can be seen above the fortress. This may be the navy ensign which was taken on in 1775. Something which the president would have been very proud of.
I then went to see another painting of President George Washington, which turned out to be another excellently preserved oil on canvas. This time the artist was Gilbert Stuart. It was a portrait that was begun in 1795. At around 30 x 25 inches, it had an ambiance of great grandeur, which was very fitting. I learned from information next to this painting, that the President was 63 years of age when he began sittings with the artist. This was close to the final stage of the President’s second term in office.
The next portrait I viewed was named “Washington Crossing the Delaware.” It was painted in 1851, and is an oil on canvas, and the artist was Emanuel Leutze. It is a large size at 149 x 255 inches. Although the artist is not from Washington’s era, and does not have the Charles Willson Peale’s connection to the real scenes, it is nevertheless important. Leutze undertook in depth research to make sure that he was historically accurate, however, it is not thought to be a hundred percent correct. I learned from Leutze’s piece that this was a depiction of a crucial point in the American revolution. Apparently, it is one of the most well known images in US history, and I have seen it before in history books. The painting shows George Washington, who is surrounded by around 2,500 soldiers, making their way across turbulent waters on the River at Delaware. This is approximately 9 miles higher up than the Trenton area in New Jersey, where Washington was intending to carry out an unexpected attack on the Hessians. I understand that strategic crossing happened post-midnight in 1776, on 25, December 25. I see the heavy snow storm and ice floes in the painting which depicts the strong snowstorm that stopped Washington’s soldiers and their affiliates getting to the shore until the break of day, which is represented by the artists overhead morning star.
George Washington History
The historical information on George Washington (1732 to 1799), which is available at the Metropolitan Museum, makes it clear that the many depictions of him are testimony to his perseverance in American myth and American life. I learned that his image in the course of his life, whether it was as a chief executive of the US, or as a revolutionary hero of the war, were the embodiment of a perfect leader: compassionate, moral, strong, victorious, and authoritative. I also understood from my research at the museum, that George Washington was once a Virginian gentleman farmer, and that at 21 years of age, he began his career in the military at the time he was assigned to the state’s militia as a major. After less then 36 months, due to his success within the ranks, George Washington was promoted to Commander in Chief of these troops.
Then, some 20 years after, in 1775, Washington became the North American Continental Forces Commander in Chief, and it was during this time that he victoriously led his army to win the battle against Great Britain. It was shown that when it came to the battlefield, he had the ability to give guidance and inspiration to a diverse set of men, and he was greatly respected for it. At the end of the war when Washington retired, he was greatly revered by both succeeding generations of men in the military, and his contemporaries.
Because of his true leadership, tenacity and greatness, and his immense love for his country, many artists have portrayed him in military uniform in paintings, sculptures, and other forms of media. This elevated him to symbolize not just military prowess, but also American liberty and national unity.
George Washington fulfilled two terms as president between 1789 and 1797, and during that period his persona was modeled virtually exclusively on portraits by Gilbert Stuart, such as the one I saw, so I have a good insight as to how people viewed him at that time.
Thomas Jefferson
I looked at a very small 41/2 x 31/4 inch portrait of Thomas Jefferson by the artist, John Trumbull, whose portrait of George Washington I viewed and discussed earlier. This is dated 1788, and is an oil on mahogany. I learned that the artist was first acquainted with Thomas Jefferson (1743 to 1826), in London, during 1785, and that Jefferson, was the US minister to France at the time. This small portrait that I saw, was copied from the artist’s Declaration painting.
James Moore
I looked at an oil on canvas portrait of James Moore (1758 to 1831), by the artist, Gilbert Stuart, whose portrait of George Washington, I also saw. It is 40 1/4 x 32 inches. I learned that Moore took part in the American Revolution, was on the Virginian legislature, and was voted into the Continental Congress. At the time of the 1812 war, he was both war and state secretary, and in 1817, he was made the 5th US president, a position he retained until 1825. I learned that his most outstanding achievements included the implementation of the Monroe Doctrine, something that gave a warning to foreign powers against more expansion of colonies within the western geographical area; and the Missouri Compromise passage.
Martin Van Buren
The portrait of Martin Van Buren (1782 to 1862) was a glass negative salted paper print by the artist, Mathew B. Brady. It is 19 x 15 5/8 inches. I learned that the 8th US president was a Democratic seasoned statesman. Van Buren was the vice president to Andrew Jackson, Secretary of State, Ambassador to England, US Senator, Governor of New York, and Attorney General.
In summary, my visit to the Metropolitan Museum of Art to learn more about George Washington and other former US presidents proved very fruitful. The museum provided interesting historical information, much of which was new to me. I found it am innovative and very inspiring way to learn. My thesis statement is: There is interesting information on George Washington to learn from at the Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art, had been proved.
