Horatio Gates
Gilbert Stuart, ca. 1793–94
About this artwork
Step into the world of early American portraiture with Gilbert's *Horatio Gates* (ca. 1793–94), a masterful oil on canvas now housed in The Metropolitan Museum of Art's American Wing. Measuring an imposing 44¼ × 35⅞ inches, this work captures General Horatio Gates, a figure in the American Revolution in a three-quarter-length pose that conveys both authority and introspection. Gifted to the Met in 1977 by Lucille S. Pfeffer, it exemplifies Stuart's renowned skill in rendering lifelike expressions and textures, from the rich folds of Gates' dark coat to the subtle gleam of his skin. Painted shortly after the Revolution, the portrait honors Gates, a British-born general celebrated for his pivotal victory at Saratoga in 1777—which convinced France to ally with the colonies—but later criticized for defeats like Camden. Stuart, a leading Federal-era artist influenced by neoclassicism, elevated such subjects into symbols of the new republic's heroism. His loose brushwork and dramatic lighting create psychological depth, making Gates not just a military man, but a human emblem of revolutionary resolve. This piece invites reflection on America's founding struggles, blending historical gravitas with artistic brilliance. A must-see for fans of Revolutionary icons! (198 words)