The artwork, titled “James Monroe,” was created by artist Samuel Morse around the year 1819. Executed in oil on canvas, it is a representative work of Romanticism and falls under the genre of portraiture. Presently, the artwork is housed in the White House, Washington, DC, US.
The portrait captures an individual looking decidedly to the right, with features rendered in a lifelike manner. The sitter exudes a sense of authority and dignity, enhanced by the formal attire consisting of a dark coat, a white cravat, and a high collar. The background is composed of a subdued, neutral-toned backdrop that serves to highlight the figure prominently. The careful attention to detail in the facial expressions and the refined use of light and shadow reflect the Romanticism movement’s focus on emotional depth and human individuality.
