Gilbert Stuart

About this artwork

Sarah Goodridge painted this miniature at the request of Gilbert Stuart (1755-1828), who believed no one else could capture the essence of his personality. He declared it the "only true likeness" of him, and valued this work so much that he presented it to his mother, adorned with a bracelet woven from his own, and his wife's, hair. According to family letters, Stuart presented this miniature to his mother on July 21, 1827. Of the three miniatures Goodridge painted of Stuart, this was the sitter...

Art Historical Context

Sarah Goodridge created this intimate miniature portrait of the renowned American painter Gilbert Stuart between 1825 and 1827. Stuart, celebrated for his iconic images of George Washington, personally requested thatridge paint him, believing only she could capture his true likeness. The work stands as a rare testament to their mutual respect and the close artistic circles of early nineteenth-century Boston. Stuart cherished this miniature above the two other versions Goodridge painted of him, declaring it the “only true likeness.” He presented it to his mother in 1827, adorned with a bracele...

About the Artist

Sarah Goodridge · 1788–1853

Sarah Goodridge (1788–1853) was a pioneering American miniaturist whose exquisite portrait miniatures captured the likenesses of prominent figures during the early republic. Born on February 5 in Templeton, Massachusetts, as the sixth of nine children to farmer Ebenezer Goodridge and Beulah Childs, she displayed artistic talent from childhood despite limited resources. Largely self-taught, she ske...