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Catalog Data

Artist:
Chester Harding, 1 Sep 1792 - 10 Apr 1866  Search this
Sitter:
James Madison, 16 Mar 1751 - 28 Jun 1836  Search this
Medium:
Oil on canvas
Dimensions:
Frame (Verified): 92.7 x 80 x 10.5cm (36 1/2 x 31 1/2 x 4 1/8")
Stretcher: 76.2 × 63.5cm (30 × 25")
Type:
Painting
Date:
c. 1829-30
Exhibition Label:
Fourth president, 1809–1817
James Madison coauthored, with Alexander Hamilton and John Jay, the Federalist Papers (1787–88), a set of eighty-five essays arguing for the ratification of the Constitution, which remain among the greatest expressions of American political thought. Concerned that the Constitution tilted too far toward the interests of the federal government and neglected the individual, Madison wrote the first ten amendments, known as the Bill of Rights. As president, Madison tried to keep the United States from becoming embroiled in the conflicts in Europe, but after the British seized American ships in an effort to halt U.S. exports, the War of 1812 began. Despite its controversial origins—and conclusion— this “Second American Revolution,” as it was sometimes called, ended European interference with the United States and created a strong sense of American nationalism.
4o presidente, 1809–1817
James Madison fue coautor, junto a Alexander Hamilton y John Jay, de The Federalist Papers (Artículos federalistas, 1787–88), un conjunto de ochenta y cinco ensayos que abogaban por la ratificación de la Constitución. Esta obra constituye hasta el día de hoy una de las más importantes expresiones del pensamiento político estadounidense. Preocupado por que la Constitución se inclinaba demasiado hacia los intereses del gobierno federal y descuidaba al individuo, Madison redactó las primeras diez enmiendas, conocidas como la Carta de Derechos de Estados Unidos. Como presidente, Madison trató de evitar que la nación se involucrara en los conflictos de Europa, pero la apropiación de barcos estadounidenses por parte de Gran Bretaña en un intento de bloquear las exportaciones de Estados Unidos desató la Guerra de 1812. A pesar de sus controversiales orígenes —y conclusión—, esta “Segunda Guerra de Independencia”, como a veces se la llamaba, terminó la interferencia de Europa con Estados Unidos y generó un fuerte sentimiento nacionalista.
Provenance:
Estate of Carroll Fontaine Maury; purchased by (Laurence C. Affron, West Palm Beach, Fl.); purchased 1968 NPG.
Topic:
James Madison: Male  Search this
James Madison: Law and Crime\Lawyer  Search this
James Madison: Politics and Government\State Legislator\Virginia  Search this
James Madison: Politics and Government\Congressman\Continental congressman  Search this
James Madison: Politics and Government\President of US  Search this
James Madison: Politics and Government\Cabinet member\Secretary of State  Search this
James Madison: Literature\Writer\Essayist  Search this
James Madison: Politics and Government\US Congressman\Virginia  Search this
James Madison: Politics and Government\Statesman\Signer of Constitution  Search this
Portrait  Search this
Credit Line:
National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution
Object number:
NPG.68.50
Restrictions & Rights:
CC0
See more items in:
National Portrait Gallery Collection
Exhibition:
America's Presidents (Reinstallation September 2017)
On View:
NPG, South Gallery 240
Data Source:
National Portrait Gallery
GUID:
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/sm4d7c0cf44-e4ca-4fdc-91b3-4fab13455d28
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:npg_NPG.68.50