In its celebration of individuality, portraiture became a fundamental art form of American democracy. Karl Kusserow and his colleagues explore one of the most important portrait collections in the country. Beginning with Matthew Pratt's portrait of colonial governor Cadwallader Colden and John Trumbull's great full-length image of Alexander Hamilton it showcases U.S. presidents and titans of finance, painted by many ... Read moreof the era's prominent portraitists. There is fascinating material here for readers of many interests: history, biography, business, architecture, and art. In our age of Occupy Wall Street, and its issues of money and power, this book couldn't be more timely.
John Wilmerding, Professor emeritus of American Art, Princeton University This volume provides a rare look at institutional portraits and their meanings and uses. Journal of American History An impressive collection of essays about an important but neglected collection of art.
John Ott CAA Reviews Show Less