Thomas Jefferson, 1743-1826

A Virginian, Thomas Jefferson played a leading role in the founding of the united States and is perhaps best remembered for drafting the Declaration of Independence. As a statesman, diplomat, agriculturalist, and writer, he influenced many spheres. Jefferson's purchase of the Louisiana Territory from Spain in 1803 brought what would become Missouri into American lands. His sponsorship of the Lewis and Clark expedition up the Missouri River and to the Pacific Coast in 1804-1806 paved the way for the fur trade industry which played a significant economic role in Missouri during the territorial and early statehood periods.

Bingham painted this study of Gilbert Stuart’s “Jefferson” portrait in Philadelphia in June 1856. It was done as preparation for his full-length painting of Jefferson executed for the Missouri State Capitol, as a companion piece to his portraits of Washington, Clay, Jackson, and Lyon. The study was acquired by the State Historical Society of Missouri in 1949.