William Hale (1794-1821) by Gilbert Stuart

William Hale (1794-1821) c. 1820

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Dimensions: 69.3 x 55.1 cm (27 5/16 x 21 11/16 in.) framed: 88.3 x 74.9 x 11.4 cm (34 3/4 x 29 1/2 x 4 1/2 in.)

Copyright: CC0 1.0

Curator: Gilbert Stuart painted this portrait of William Hale, who lived from 1794 to 1821. The piece now resides at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: There's an almost melancholic air about him, don't you think? The dark background seems to swallow the light. Curator: Indeed. Stuart was a master of capturing the nuances of societal status. Hale was part of a generation navigating post-revolutionary America, and his portrait reflects that tension. Editor: His expression is so reserved, almost as if he's guarding a secret, and I wonder what stories those eyes could tell. Curator: The painting, in its dimensions, subtly reinforces this sense of constrained power; not grandiose but firmly present. Editor: I think there's a captivating story behind the formality. It makes me wonder about Hale's world and his place in it. Curator: Absolutely. And understanding Hale's place in history allows us to understand the American identity of the time. Editor: A somber but important piece. It really lingers in the mind.

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