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James MacDonald of Inglesmauldie
Artwork Viewer
After an impoverished childhood, Gilbert Stuart received artistic instruction after literally begging the artist Benjamin West (1738-1820) for a place in his studio. Stuart brushed off drawing and composition studies. He also disliked elaborate poses and refused to labor over details of dress, attributes, or backgrounds. Instead, he built his reputation as someone who, in the words of West, could "nail the face to the canvas," becoming one of the most highly regarded portraitists of his time.
Before painting a portrait, Stuart would observe his sitter in order to determine which side of his or her face would give the best outline of their nose. He would then choose that side to be closer to the viewer's eye. As a sought-after portraitist, Stuart developed many such techniques during the course of his career. A prolific artist and enterprising businessman, he executed more than 1,100 portraits during his lifetime.
- Artist
- Gilbert Charles Stuart
- Title
- James MacDonald of Inglesmauldie
- Date
- ca. 1785
- Object Type
- Painting
- Medium
- Oil on canvas
- Dimensions
- 29 1/8 x 24 in. (74 x 61 cm)
- Credit Line
- Bequest of Alletta Morris McBean to The Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco
- Accession Number
- 1987.15.1