James Madison 1809

This is Thomas Sully’s portrait of James Madison, painted with oils on canvas. The painting has that formal, posed quality typical of official portraiture. But even in that context, Sully’s handling of his medium is striking. Look closely, and you’ll see how the artist has built up the image with layers of translucent paint. The effect is most evident in the drapery in the upper-left corner, where you can sense the brushstrokes that give the fabric its sheen. And notice the desk to Madison’s right. It’s covered in books, papers, and a globe – all props, really, designed to convey the man’s learning and statesmanship. Yet, even these receive Sully’s attentive touch. His approach speaks to a moment when the making of art was a trade, but also a form of refined knowledge. By giving so much care to the surfaces of things, Sully elevates his subject. The painting reminds us that everything we see—even power itself—is constructed through skilled labor.