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James Madison

James Madison
Artist
Chester Harding, 1 Sep 1792 - 10 Apr 1866
Sitter
James Madison, 16 Mar 1751 - 28 Jun 1836
Date
c. 1829-30
Type
Painting
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")
Topic
James Madison: Male
James Madison: Law and Crime\Lawyer
James Madison: Politics and Government\State Legislator\Virginia
James Madison: Politics and Government\Congressman\Continental congressman
James Madison: Politics and Government\President of US
James Madison: Politics and Government\Cabinet member\Secretary of State
James Madison: Literature\Writer\Essayist
James Madison: Politics and Government\US Congressman\Virginia
James Madison: Politics and Government\Statesman\Signer of Constitution
Portrait
Credit Line
National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution
Restrictions & Rights
CC0
Object number
NPG.68.50
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.
Data Source
National Portrait Gallery
Exhibition
America's Presidents (Reinstallation September 2017)
On View
NPG, South Gallery 240