Adams-jefferson Portrait Summary

Bob Sudduth His 5206 Early Republic Dr. Specht Spring, 2009

Summary of “The Adams-Jefferson Portrait Exchange” Messchutt, David. “The Adams-Jefferson Portrait Exchange.” American Art Journal, Vol. 14, No. 2 (Spring, 1982), 47-54. John Adams and Thomas Jefferson first met in 1775, at the Second Continental Congress. They quickly built a friendship that lasted throughout the turbulent political era of the Early Republic, despite some severe valleys in their personal and political relationship. Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and Abigail Adams wrote to each other frequently, exchanging not only political discussion, but many personal matters also. In 1785, John Adams, in London, developed a fondness for portraits and commissioned Mather Brown to paint individual portraits of the Adams family. When Jefferson visited Adams in 1786, Jefferson also decided to sit for a Brown portrait. A short time later, Jefferson decided he wanted a portrait of Adams. Jefferson first contacted Adam’s son-in-law on this matter. Jefferson also contacted Abigail in his quest to have Adams sit for a new portrait. Jefferson went so far as to have John Trumbull (an accomplished portrait artist in his own right) ask Brown to pursue this task. Obtaining this life portrait of Adams was very important to Jefferson. Eventually, Jefferson had a portrait of Adams which he hung in his parlor. Adams also possessed a portrait of Jefferson, displayed in a place of honor. This is presented as tangible evidence of these men’s mutual respect, which was key to their longstanding friendship. The author surmises that both men kept these portraits displayed even during the turbulent period(s) of the friendship. Adams and Jefferson had quite writing to each other for a stretch from 1801 to 1812.

Bob Sudduth

The relationship between Adams and Jefferson is remarkable for many reasons. Both men were dedicated patriots, committed to the growth and betterment of the new country. Each man, however, had very different ideas of the direction in which the country should take. Should the central government be strong, or should the states hold the bulk of authority? Should the United States support France or Britain in the current hostilities? Or, should the country remain completely neutral, supporting neither, or both? Each man had concrete concepts which were often at odds with the other’s. Somehow, these men each pursued their passion, yet were also able to maintain their bonds to each other, with a few bumps nonetheless. These men are definitely not typical men. Their relationship is also very atypical. In spite of this, their relationship can be used a type of peep hole into the social and political fabric of the era. The Adams-Jefferson relationship is a microcosm of the time in which they lived. Passionate political and social ideals, generally conflicting, occasionally diametrically opposing, yet somehow able to meld into a workable system. The fabric of history is woven from many different threads. Each thread weaving its own way. In detail, one could predict a chaotic mess of isolated doodles. On the contrary, when looking back, the threads fit into a beautiful mosaic, apparently seamless. Jefferson and Adams can help us to learn this.

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