Isabella Flores
Thomas Jefferson was an avid art collector and had a particular interest in paintings. He was also the subject of several portraits, including those by Gilbert Stuart, John Trumbull, and Mather Brown. Jefferson's home, Monticello, featured an extensive art collection with paintings such as David with the Head of Goliah and The Sacrifice of Isaac. The house also served as an entrance-hall-museum, showcasing his scientific interests. Jefferson's influence can be seen on the US nickel and two-dollar bill, which feature images of Monticello and his portrait, respectively.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Thomas Jefferson's art collection | Ecce Homo, a bust of Jesus; A bust of St. Jerom in meditation; David with the head of Goliath; The Sacrifice of Isaac; Jesus before Pilate; An Indian painting of a battle between the Panis & Osages; Lord Bacon; Sr. Isaac Newton; John Locke; Doctr. Franklin; Herodiade bearing the head of St. John in a platter; Democritus & Heraclitus, or the laughing & weeping philosophers |
| Thomas Jefferson's portraits | Gilbert Stuart's medallion profile; Mather Brown's 1786 oil on canvas; John Trumbull's miniature; John Trumbull's 1818 painting Declaration of Independence |
| Monticello | Jefferson's home, remodelled and rebuilt based on ideas he acquired in Europe; an octagonal dome added; a "noble and beautiful apartment"; an entrance-hall-museum; a music-sitting room; Mulberry Row designated as an archaeological site; an African slave burial ground discovered in 2000-2001 |
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What You'll Learn
Thomas Jefferson's art collection
Thomas Jefferson was a noted art collector, and his catalogue of paintings, drafted after 1809, provides an insight into the contents of his collection and their distribution throughout his home, Monticello. The catalogue includes a number of religious paintings, such as an 'Ecce Homo', a bust of Jesus crowned with thorns, a depiction of 'Jesus Driving the Money Changers out of the Temple', and 'St. Peter Weeping'. There are also paintings with classical themes, such as 'David with the Head of Goliath', 'The Sacrifice of Isaac', 'Apollo and Daphne', and 'Ariadne on the Island of Naxos'. Jefferson also owned a number of busts, including those of Lord Bacon, Sir Isaac Newton, and John Locke, as well as paintings by Indian artists, including a battle scene on a buffalo pelt.
In addition to collecting art, Jefferson also sat for portraits by noted artists such as Gilbert Stuart and John Trumbull. Stuart's medallion profile of Jefferson is particularly well-known and was copied by Thornton, who altered the format from circular to oval. Jefferson also sat for Trumbull, who was a leading chronicler of the United States' independence after the American Revolution.
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Jefferson's Monticello
Thomas Jefferson's Monticello, his primary residence and plantation in Virginia, offers a glimpse into the former president's life, interests, and art collection. The house, remodelled extensively by Jefferson himself, reflects his architectural vision and incorporates influences from classical and French styles. The interior is centred around two large rooms: an entrance-hall-museum showcasing Jefferson's scientific pursuits and a music-sitting room. Jefferson also added a mezzanine bedroom floor, replacing the original second story, and constructed an octagonal dome, creating a "noble and beautiful apartment," though it was seldom used due to accessibility and temperature concerns.
Monticello's walls were painted "Mars yellow," and the floor was decorated with green and black checkerboard patterns during Jefferson's lifetime. The main entrance, through the portico on the east front, features a wind plate and weather vane, while a large clock face on the external east-facing wall displays only an hour hand, reflecting Jefferson's belief in accuracy for those he enslaved. The entrance hall contains recreations of artefacts collected by Lewis and Clark on their expedition commissioned by Jefferson to explore the Louisiana Purchase.
Jefferson was an avid art collector, and his home at Monticello displayed a variety of paintings and busts. A "Catalogue of Paintings &c. at Monticello," believed to have been drafted by Jefferson after 1809, provides insight into his art collection. The catalogue includes religious paintings such as "Ecce Homo," a bust of Jesus, "St. Peter Weeping," and "Jesus Driving the Money Changers out of the Temple." It also features historical and mythological works like "David with the Head of Goliath," "The Sacrifice of Isaac," and "Ariadne Reclined on the Rocks of Naxos." Additionally, Jefferson owned paintings depicting figures like Cleopatra, Indian battle scenes, and portraits of notable individuals such as Lord Bacon, Sir Isaac Newton, and John Locke.
Monticello has been depicted on US currency and postage stamps, reflecting its significance in American history. The west front of Monticello has appeared on the reverse of the nickel since 1938, with brief interruptions in 2004 and 2005. It was also featured on the two-dollar bill from 1928 to 1966 and continues to grace the obverse of the reintroduced bill in 1976. The image of Monticello has even inspired creative works like the 2015 play "Jefferson's Garden," centred on his life at the estate.
Beyond its architectural and artistic significance, Monticello has also been the subject of archaeological and historical research. Efforts to interpret the lives of slaves at Monticello have included oral history projects and excavations at Mulberry Row and the African slave burial ground. These initiatives provide valuable insights into the experiences of those who lived and worked at Monticello, offering a more comprehensive understanding of this historic site.
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Jefferson's Catalogue of Paintings
Thomas Jefferson was an avid art collector, and his home at Monticello was filled with paintings, sculptures, and other works of art. Jefferson himself was a subject of many paintings, including the famous "Medallion Profile" by Gilbert Stuart, which was completed in 1805 and is now on display at the Fogg Art Museum at Harvard University.
The "Catalogue of Paintings &c. at Monticello" is believed to have been drafted by Thomas Jefferson sometime after 1809 and provides a detailed inventory of the artwork in his home. The catalogue includes a mix of European and Indian paintings, busts, and sculptures, with subjects ranging from religious scenes to historical events to philosophical concepts.
One of the most notable paintings in Jefferson's collection was "Ariadne Reclined on the Rocks of Naxos", which depicted the moment when Bacchus discovers Ariadne asleep and falls in love with her. The painting, copied from Guido, showcased Ariadne with her tunic half-loosed and a veil negligently thrown over her head, capturing the anguish and calm of the moment.
Another significant work in Jefferson's catalogue was "David with the Head of Goliath", also copied from Guido. This painting depicted the whole length of David, holding the severed head of Goliath. Jefferson also owned an original Indian painting of a battle between the Panis and Osages, painted on a buffalo pelt, as well as a map of the Southern waters of the Missouri, drawn by a Ricara chief on buffalo pelt.
Jefferson's catalogue also included busts and full-length paintings of religious figures, such as "Ecce Homo", a bust of Jesus with a crown of thorns, copied from Goltzius; "St. Peter Weeping", capturing the moment from Matthew 26:75; and "Herodiade Bearing the Head of St. John in a Platter", copied from Simon Vouett. These works reflected Jefferson's interest in religion and philosophy, as well as his appreciation for artistic mastery.
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Jefferson's Gilbert Stuart portrait
Gilbert Stuart was a painter and portraitist active in the early United States. He is known for his portraits of key figures of the American Revolution and early republic, including Founding Fathers such as Thomas Jefferson and John Adams.
Stuart painted multiple portraits of Thomas Jefferson. The first of these was painted in Philadelphia in May 1800. Jefferson paid Stuart one hundred dollars for the portrait, but Stuart retained the painting, intending to put the "last hand" on it later.
In 1805, Stuart travelled to Washington and asked Jefferson to sit for him again, as he was not satisfied with the first portrait. This second portrait was to be delivered to Jefferson in place of the first, but Stuart asked to keep it until he could get an engraving made from it. Jefferson also requested that Stuart sketch him in a medallion profile style, which he did using crayons on paper. This medallion profile was one of only three portraits of Jefferson by Stuart that the former received expeditiously.
The "Edgehill" portrait, so-called for its long association with the Jefferson Randolph family and their home, was completed by 1821 at the latest. It is considered one of Stuart's best works and one of the most compelling portraits of Thomas Jefferson.
An art historian, David Meschutt, has argued that Stuart lost the second portrait and repainted it in 1821. This would mean that the "Edgehill" portrait is not the 1805 portrait, but a later version.
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Jefferson's John Trumbull portrait
John Trumbull's portrait of Thomas Jefferson was painted in 1788, just before George Washington became the first president of the United States. The painting was created in the aftermath of the American Revolution, during a period when Jefferson served as minister to France. Trumbull visited Jefferson in Paris and painted his portrait directly into a painting depicting the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The portrait is based on Jefferson as he would have looked in 1776, with unpowdered reddish hair and contemporary clothing.
Trumbull made Jefferson's portrait part of his masterpiece, 'The Declaration of Independence', which he began working on while staying with Jefferson at the Hôtel de Langeac in Paris between December 1787 and February 1788. Jefferson provided Trumbull with a detailed description of the scene in the Assembly Room at Independence Hall, including the exact placement of the representatives to the Continental Congress, and even sketched the room for him. Trumbull intended to obtain life portraits of all the living representatives and made Jefferson his first subject.
Trumbull created three different miniatures of Jefferson, derived from the life portrait in the Declaration of Independence. In the three miniatures, Jefferson is depicted more formally, with rolled and powdered hair, a waistcoat, and a jabot. One of these miniatures was gifted to Jefferson's daughter Martha, who was delighted to have a portrait of her father.
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Frequently asked questions
Jefferson had a variety of paintings at Monticello, including religious paintings, portraits, and historical paintings. Some of the paintings were originals, while others were copies of famous works by artists such as Guido, Goltzius, and Valentin.
Yes, Jefferson drafted a "Catalogue of Paintings &c. at Monticello" sometime after 1809, which provides information on the contents of his art collection and its distribution throughout the house.
While no notable paintings were specifically mentioned as being discovered at Jefferson's, there have been efforts in recent decades to interpret the lives of slaves at Monticello through archaeological excavations and oral history projects.
Yes, there are several known paintings and portraits of Thomas Jefferson. Notable examples include the Gilbert Stuart medallion profile from 1805, the Mather Brown portrait from 1786, and the John Trumbull miniature from 1788.
