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Gilbert Stuart (1755-1828), American artist and portrait painter, is buried at
Central
Burying Ground. Stuart's remains are in tomb #61, and a marker was placed on the Boston Common side of the grounds in 1897.
Gilbert Stuart painted Presidents George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and James Madison. He also painted Kings George III and IV of England, and King Louis XVI of France. He completed more than 1000 works in total during his life.
Stuart's most famous work is the1796 unfinished portrait of George Washington. It was used for Washington's likeness on the United States $1 bill. This work is jointly owned by the
Museum of Fine Arts
and the National Portrait Gallery.
Gilbert Stuart painted George Washington many times. A famous work of President Washington, located in the White House, has an
interesting story. During the War of 1812, between Great Britain and the United States, British General Ross captured Washington and
set fire to much of the city. This scorched-earth policy was in retaliation for the Americans previously burning the
parliament building at York Canada. President James Madison collected his generals and organized his troops on the outskirts of Washington, and could
see the city burning. Dolley Madison, the First Lady, at great risk to herself, ordered that the Gilbert
Stuart painting of George Washington be broken from its frame and safely removed from the city. She rescued a great national
treasure. After capturing the White House, General Ross mocked the
President and then plundered the building before setting it ablaze.
Sadly, Gilbert Stuart died insolvent in 1828. He was buried at Central Burying Ground, which was considered less dignified by
wealthier Bostonians at that time compared to certain other burial places.
White House Portrait
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