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Alexander Hamilton

John Trumbull American
1792
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 755
Alexander Hamilton (1755/57–1804), the first secretary of the US Treasury, was born in the British Caribbean colony of Nevis and later moved to Saint Croix, a Danish colony of sugar plantations fueled by enslaved labor. Hamilton’s early exposure to the networks of transatlantic trade in the West Indies impacted his political philosophy and career. This portrait by Trumbull balances the interests of its sitter and patrons. Merchants wanted to celebrate Hamilton’s civic accomplishments, but he preferred to avoid political imagery. As a result, the canvas depicts the famous statesman as an elite citizen of the new American republic.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Alexander Hamilton
  • Artist: John Trumbull (American, Lebanon, Connecticut 1756–1843 New York)
  • Date: 1792
  • Culture: American
  • Medium: Oil on canvas
  • Dimensions: 86 1/4 x 57 1/2 in. (219.1 x 146.1 cm)

  • Credit Line: Jointly owned by Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Gift of Credit Suisse, 2013
  • Object Number: 2013.454
  • Curatorial Department: The American Wing

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