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COLLECTOR'S FOCUS
PORTRAITSEventually the portrait was made into an
engraving that now appears on the $1 bill.
Known as The Athenaeum Portrait, it was
acquired by the Boston Athenaeum after
Stuart’s death and was acquired jointly
by the National Portrait Gallery and the
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston in 1980.
Historical figures from the past often
appear in contemporary portraits. Patrick
McGrath Muñiz brings Washington into
his Holy Combo, IV. Muniz explains, “The
portrait of George Washington has oftenbeen popularly interpreted as a symbol for
economic power...This reading still holds
true with this painting where he is joined
by a character from the most famous fast
food franchise in the world. Both sit bare-
chested sharing the notoriety of American
global influence. As Ronald pinches
Washington’s nipple, gold pours out onto
a cup of a ‘Mclight coffee.’ This is meant to
be symbolic of how corporations squeeze
governmental subsidies in order to finance
and expand their enterprises.” He continues,“Washington’s hatchet comes from the
cherry tree he supposedly chopped. It is a
reminder of how mythologized the founding
fathers of this country as well as other
historical figures have become.”
Michael Bergt explores the stories of
characters in mythology and has recently
been focusing on interpretations of
Persephone who was abducted by Hades
to be his wife in the underworld. She was
bound to him and the underworld by eating
the seeds of the pomegranate. Her mother,- Gilbert Stuart (1755–1828), George Washington, 1796, oil on canvas, 47¾ x 37". Jointly owned by the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, and the National Portrait Gallery,
Washington, D.C. 6. T.H. Brennen Fine Art, Videa, oil on linen, 30 x 16", by Nelson Shanks (1937-2015). 7. T.H. Brennen Fine Art, Proud Thorns, oil on board, 24 x 20",
by Adrian Gottlieb. 8. Haynes Galleries, Blue Sneakers, oil on canvas, 30 x 24", by Burton Silverman. 9. Haynes Galleries, Essie’s Unicorn, oil on panel, 24 x 36", by Seth Haverkamp.
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