Alexander Hamilton

Datec. 1806

MediumOil on wood

DimensionsSight: 8 1/4 × 6 3/4 in. (21 × 17.1 cm)

Object numberN0413.1955

Credit LineCollection of the Fenimore Art Museum. Gift of Stephen C. Clark

Photograph by Richard Walker

Label TextThis likeness is one of several that Weaver did in about 1806, in response to the demand of portraits of Hamilton after his death. Weaver actually used a polygraph to trace Hamilton’s profile (working from a published print) and created identical copies. For years these likenesses were thought to have been done during Hamilton’s lifetime. However, Hamilton is depicted with a single star on his epaulet, signifying the rank of a brigadier general, a rank he never held. He was made manor general (which merits two stars) by President John Adams, at George Washington’s request, in 1798. Scholars agree that Hamilton never would have consented to be depicted with an inferior rank.

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