Famous Americans Portraits, National Portrait Gallery, Washington, DC Photos

The National Portrait Gallery (NPG) in Washington, DC traces American history through the portraits of its significant citizens, many painted or sculpted by well-known artists. The NPG is physically integrated in the same building with the Smithsonian American Art Museum, so this page includes portraits belonging to that museum.

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Smithsonian Institution Center for American Art Museum & Portraiture. Washington, DC.Elizabeth I painting by unknown at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.John Smith engraving by unknown after Simon Van De Passe at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.Pocahontas painting by unknown at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.
Smithsonian Institution Center for American Art Museum & Portraiture. Washington, DC.Elizabeth I painting (c1558) by unknown at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.John Smith engraving (c1617) by unknown after Simon Van De Passe at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.Pocahontas painting (after 1616) by unknown at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.
George Berkeley painting by John Smibert at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.William Shirley, governor of Massachusetts painting by Thomas Hudson at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.John Winthrop, governor of Massachusetts painting by unknown at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.Charles Cotesworth Pinkney, revolutionary framer of U.S Constitution painting by Henry Benbridge at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.
George Berkeley painting (c1727) by John Smibert at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.William Shirley, governor of Massachusetts painting (1750) by Thomas Hudson at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.John Winthrop, governor of Massachusetts painting by unknown at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.Charles Cotesworth Pinkney, revolutionary framer of U.S Constitution painting (c1773) by Henry Benbridge at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.
Robert Morris, Revolutionary leader painting by Robert Edge Pine at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.Benjamin Franklin, Revolutionary leader painting by Joseph Siffred Duplessis at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.Thomas Paine, Revolutionary leader painting by Laurent Dabos at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.Abigail Smith Adams, wife of John Adams painting by unknown at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.
Robert Morris, Revolutionary leader painting (c1785) by Robert Edge Pine at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.Benjamin Franklin, Revolutionary leader painting (c1785) by Joseph Siffred Duplessis at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.Thomas Paine, Revolutionary leader painting (c1792) by Laurent Dabos at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.Abigail Smith Adams, wife of John Adams painting (c1795) by unknown at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.
John Singleton Copley, artist self portrait at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.Mrs. George Watson, wife of Boston merchant painting by John Singleton Copley at Smithsonian American Art Museum. Washington, DC.Judith Sargent Murray, advocate of women's rights painting by John Singleton Copley at Smithsonian American Art Museum. Washington, DC.Robert Hooper, American merchant painting by John Singleton Copley at Smithsonian American Art Museum. Washington, DC.
John Singleton Copley, artist self portrait (1780-4) at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.Mrs. George Watson, wife of Boston merchant painting (1765) by John Singleton Copley at Smithsonian American Art Museum. Washington, DC.Judith Sargent Murray, advocate of women's rights painting (c1769-72) by John Singleton Copley at Smithsonian American Art Museum. Washington, DC.Robert Hooper, American merchant painting (c1770-72) by John Singleton Copley at Smithsonian American Art Museum. Washington, DC.
Henry Laurens, South Carolina merchant & Revolutionary leader painting by John Singleton Copley at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.Collection of American native portrait paintings by George Catlin at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.Keokuk, spokesman of Sauk tribe portrait paintings by George Catlin at Smithsonian American Art Museum. Washington, DC.Black Hawk, war leader of Sauk tribe portrait paintings by George Catlin at Smithsonian American Art Museum. Washington, DC.
Henry Laurens, South Carolina merchant & Revolutionary leader painting (1782) by John Singleton Copley at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.Collection of American native portrait paintings (1830-6) by George Catlin at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.Keokuk, spokesman of Sauk tribe portrait paintings (c1835) by George Catlin at Smithsonian American Art Museum. Washington, DC.Black Hawk, war leader of Sauk tribe portrait paintings (c1835) by George Catlin at Smithsonian American Art Museum. Washington, DC.
William Clark, leader of Lewis & Clark expedition & governor of Missouri Territory painting by George Catlin at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.Charles Willson Peale, artist self portrait at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.Anne Catharine Hoof Green, Maryland Gazette editor painting by Charles Willson Peale at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.Mrs. James Smith & Grandson painting by Charles Willson Peale at Smithsonian American Art Museum. Washington, DC.
William Clark, leader of Lewis & Clark expedition & governor of Missouri Territory painting (1832) by George Catlin at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.Charles Willson Peale, artist self portrait (c1791) at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.Anne Catharine Hoof Green, Maryland Gazette editor painting (1769) by Charles Willson Peale at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.Mrs. James Smith & Grandson painting (1776) by Charles Willson Peale at Smithsonian American Art Museum. Washington, DC.
William Moultrie, South Carolina Revolutionary painting by Charles Willson Peale at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.Richard Henry Lee, Virginia Revolutionary painting by Charles Willson Peale at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.David Rittenhouse, Pennsylvania mathematician & astronomer painting by Charles Willson Peale at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.Henry Knox, Revolutionary leader painting by Charles Peale Polk after Charles Willson Peale at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.
William Moultrie, South Carolina Revolutionary painting (1782) by Charles Willson Peale at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.Richard Henry Lee, Virginia Revolutionary painting (1782) by Charles Willson Peale at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.David Rittenhouse, Pennsylvania mathematician & astronomer painting (1796) by Charles Willson Peale at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.Henry Knox, Revolutionary leader painting (c1783) by Charles Peale Polk after Charles Willson Peale at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.
Horatio Gates, Revolutionary leader painting by James Peale after Charles Willson Peale at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.John Witherspoon, Revolutionary leader painting by James Peale after Charles Willson Peale at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.Rubens Peale, museum manager painting by Rembrandt Peale at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.Juliana Westray Wood, actress painting by Rembrandt Peale at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.
Horatio Gates, Revolutionary leader painting (c1782) by James Peale after Charles Willson Peale at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.John Witherspoon, Revolutionary leader painting (1794) by James Peale after Charles Willson Peale at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.Rubens Peale, museum manager painting (1807) by Rembrandt Peale at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.Juliana Westray Wood, actress painting (c1811) by Rembrandt Peale at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.
Rosalba Peale portrait by Rembrandt Peale at Smithsonian American Art Museum. Washington, DC.James Kent, legal scholar portrait by Rembrandt Peale at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.Marquis de Lafayette marble bust by unknown after Jean-Antoine Houdon at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.Misses Mary & Hannah Murray painting by John Trumbull at Smithsonian American Art Museum. Washington, DC.
Rosalba Peale portrait (c1820) by Rembrandt Peale at Smithsonian American Art Museum. Washington, DC.James Kent, legal scholar portrait (c1835) by Rembrandt Peale at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.Marquis de Lafayette marble bust (1871 after c1786 original) by unknown after Jean-Antoine Houdon at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.Misses Mary & Hannah Murray painting (1806) by John Trumbull at Smithsonian American Art Museum. Washington, DC.
Alexander Hamilton portrait by John Trumbull at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.Benjamin Silliman, science educator portrait by John Trumbull at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.Thomas Ash II, maker of chairs portrait by Thomas Sully at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.Daniel La Motte portrait by Thomas Sully at Smithsonian American Art Museum. Washington, DC.
Alexander Hamilton portrait (1806) by John Trumbull at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.Benjamin Silliman, science educator portrait (1825) by John Trumbull at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.Thomas Ash II, maker of chairs portrait (1807) by Thomas Sully at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.Daniel La Motte portrait (1812-3) by Thomas Sully at Smithsonian American Art Museum. Washington, DC.
John Jay, diplomat portrait by Gilbert Stuart & John Trumbull at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.Fisher Ames, Congressman portrait by Gilbert Stuart at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.Rufus King, Senator portrait by Gilbert Stuart at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.John Marshall, Supreme Court Chief Justice portrait by Cephas Thompson at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.
John Jay, diplomat portrait (1784-1818) by Gilbert Stuart & John Trumbull at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.Fisher Ames, Congressman portrait (c1807) by Gilbert Stuart at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.Rufus King, Senator portrait (1819-20) by Gilbert Stuart at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.John Marshall, Supreme Court Chief Justice portrait (1809-10) by Cephas Thompson at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.
DeWitt Clinton, force behind Erie Canal portrait by John Wesley Jarvis at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.Helen Brought to Paris painting by Benjamin West at Smithsonian American Art Museum. Washington, DC.Benjamin West self portrait at Smithsonian American Art Museum. Washington, DC.Daniel Boone, pioneer portrait by Chester Harding at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.
DeWitt Clinton, force behind Erie Canal portrait (c1816) by John Wesley Jarvis at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.Helen Brought to Paris painting (1776) by Benjamin West at Smithsonian American Art Museum. Washington, DC.Benjamin West self portrait (1819) at Smithsonian American Art Museum. Washington, DC.Daniel Boone, pioneer portrait (c1820 & 60) by Chester Harding at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.
Stephen F. Austin, Texas pioneer portrait by unknown at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.Davy Crocket, pioneer portrait by Chester Harding at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.Young Omahaw, Ware Eagle, Little Missouri, & Pawnees portraits by Charles Bird King at Smithsonian American Art Museum. Washington, DC.Sequoyah, native writing inventor portrait lithograph after Charles Bird King at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.
Stephen F. Austin, Texas pioneer portrait by unknown at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.Davy Crocket, pioneer portrait (1834) by Chester Harding at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.Young Omahaw, Ware Eagle, Little Missouri, & Pawnees portraits (1821) by Charles Bird King at Smithsonian American Art Museum. Washington, DC.Sequoyah, native writing inventor portrait lithograph (1837) after Charles Bird King at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.
Edwin Forrest, actor portrait by Frederick Styles Agate at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.John Stevens, steamboat & locomotive pioneer portrait by unknown at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.Noah Webster, dictionary author portrait by James Herring at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.John Greenleaf Whittier, poet & abolitionist portrait by Robert Peckman at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.
Edwin Forrest, actor portrait (c1832) by Frederick Styles Agate at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.John Stevens, steamboat & locomotive pioneer portrait (c1830) by unknown at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.Noah Webster, dictionary author portrait (1833) by James Herring at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.John Greenleaf Whittier, poet & abolitionist portrait (1833) by Robert Peckman at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.
Edgar Allan Poe, poet portrait by Samuel Stillman Osgood at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.Edward Hicks portrait by Thomas Hicks at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.Goldfish Bowl painting by Samuel F.B. Morse at Smithsonian American Art Museum. Washington, DC.Columbus before the Queen painting by Peter Frederick Rothermel at Smithsonian American Art Museum. Washington, DC.
Edgar Allan Poe, poet portrait (1845) by Samuel Stillman Osgood at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.Edward Hicks portrait (1839) by Thomas Hicks at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.Goldfish Bowl (Mrs. Richard Cary Morse & Family) painting (c1835) by Samuel F.B. Morse at Smithsonian American Art Museum. Washington, DC.Columbus before the Queen painting (1841) by Peter Frederick Rothermel at Smithsonian American Art Museum. Washington, DC.
Oliver Hazard Perry, naval hero portrait by Martin J. Heade after John Wesley Jarvis at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.John C. Frémont, explorer photo by Mathew B. Brady at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.John C. Frémont, explorer portrait by William Smith Jewett at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.Nathaniel Hawthorne, author portrait by Emanuel Gottlieb Leutze at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.
Oliver Hazard Perry, naval hero portrait (1855) by Martin J. Heade after John Wesley Jarvis at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.John C. Frémont, explorer photo (c1856) by Mathew B. Brady at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.John C. Frémont, explorer portrait by William Smith Jewett at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.Nathaniel Hawthorne, author portrait (1862) by Emanuel Gottlieb Leutze at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, author portrait by Thomas Buchanan Read at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.We Both Must Fade painting by Lilly Martin Spencer at Smithsonian American Art Museum. Washington, DC.Edith Wharton, author portrait by Edward Harrison May at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.Margaretta Willoughby Pierrepont marble bust by Augustus Saint-Gaudens at Smithsonian American Art Museum. Washington, DC.
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, author portrait (1869) by Thomas Buchanan Read at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.We Both Must Fade (Mrs. Fithian) painting (1869) by Lilly Martin Spencer at Smithsonian American Art Museum. Washington, DC.Edith Wharton, author portrait (1870) by Edward Harrison May at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.Margaretta Willoughby Pierrepont marble bust (1874) by Augustus Saint-Gaudens at Smithsonian American Art Museum. Washington, DC.
James McNeill Whistler, painter terra-cotta bust by Joseph Edgar Boehm at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.Detail of James McNeill Whistler, painter terra-cotta bust by Joseph Edgar Boehm at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.Charles McKim, architect bronze relief by Augustus Saint-Gaudens at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.Kenyon Cox, muralist bronze relief by Augustus Saint-Gaudens at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.
James McNeill Whistler, painter terra-cotta bust (1872) by Joseph Edgar Boehm at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.Detail of James McNeill Whistler, painter terra-cotta bust (1872) by Joseph Edgar Boehm at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.Charles McKim, architect bronze relief (1878) by Augustus Saint-Gaudens at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.Kenyon Cox, muralist bronze relief (1889) by Augustus Saint-Gaudens at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.
Henry Adams bronze statue by Augustus Saint-Gaudens at Smithsonian American Art Museum. Washington, DC.Violet Sargent, sister of John Singer Sargent bronze relief by Augustus Saint-Gaudens at Smithsonian American Art Museum. Washington, DC.William Dean Howells, author with daughter Mildred bronze relief by Augustus Saint-Gaudens at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.The Puritan reduction bronze statue by Augustus Saint-Gaudens at Smithsonian American Art Museum. Washington, DC.
Henry Adams bronze statue (1886-91) by Augustus Saint-Gaudens at Smithsonian American Art Museum. Washington, DC.Violet Sargent, sister of John Singer Sargent bronze relief (1890) by Augustus Saint-Gaudens at Smithsonian American Art Museum. Washington, DC.William Dean Howells, author with daughter Mildred bronze relief (1898) by Augustus Saint-Gaudens at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.The Puritan reduction bronze statue (c1899) by Augustus Saint-Gaudens at Smithsonian American Art Museum. Washington, DC.
Mary Cassatt portrait by Edgar Degas at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.Annie Oakley photo by John Wood at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.Bret Hart, author portrait by John Pettie at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.Walt Whitman, author portrait by John White Alexander at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.
Mary Cassatt portrait (c1880-4) by Edgar Degas at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.Annie Oakley photo (c1885) by John Wood at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.Bret Hart, author portrait (c1884) by John Pettie at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.Walt Whitman, author portrait (1889) by John White Alexander at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.
H.H. Richardson, architect portrait by Hubert von Herkomer at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.Thomas A. Edison, inventor portrait by Abraham Archibald Anderson at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.Elizabeth Winthrop Chanler portrait by John Singer Sargent at Smithsonian American Art Museum. Washington, DC.Sophie Hunter Colston portrait by William R. Leigh at Smithsonian American Art Museum. Washington, DC.
H.H. Richardson, architect portrait (1886) by Hubert von Herkomer at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.Thomas A. Edison, inventor portrait (1890) by Abraham Archibald Anderson at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.Elizabeth Winthrop Chanler (Mrs. John Jay Chapman) portrait (1893) by John Singer Sargent at Smithsonian American Art Museum. Washington, DC.Sophie Hunter Colston portrait (1896) by William R. Leigh at Smithsonian American Art Museum. Washington, DC.
Louisa May Alcott bronze bust by Frank Edwin Elwell at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.Ralph Waldo Emerson, author bronze bust by Daniel Chester French at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.Leonard Wood, Spanish-American War Rough Rider portrait by John Singer Sargent at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.Andrew Carnegie, philanthropist portrait by unknown at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.
Louisa May Alcott bronze bust (cast of 1891 plaster) by Frank Edwin Elwell at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.Ralph Waldo Emerson, author bronze bust (1901) by Daniel Chester French at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.Leonard Wood, Spanish-American War Rough Rider portrait (1903) by John Singer Sargent at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.Andrew Carnegie, philanthropist portrait (c1905) by unknown at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.
Henry James, author portrait by John White Alexander at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.Samuel Clemens, author portrait by Jacques-Émile Blanche at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.Alexander Graham Bell, telephone inventor marble bust by Moses Wainer Dykaar at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.Booker T. Washington bronze bust by Richmond Barthé at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.
Henry James, author portrait (c1912) by John White Alexander at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.Samuel Clemens, author portrait (1908) by Jacques-Émile Blanche at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.Alexander Graham Bell, telephone inventor marble bust (1922) by Moses Wainer Dykaar at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.Booker T. Washington bronze bust (1922) by Richmond Barthé at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.
Modern portraits at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.George Gershwin, composer portrait by Arthur Kaufman at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.Will Rogers bronze bust by Jo Davidson at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.Barry Goldwater poster at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.
Modern portraits at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.George Gershwin, composer portrait (1936) by Arthur Kaufman at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.Will Rogers bronze bust (1938) by Jo Davidson at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.Barry Goldwater poster (1964) at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.
Linus Pauling, scientist portrait by Alice Neel at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.


Linus Pauling, scientist portrait (1969) by Alice Neel at National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.


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All photos on this page are originals by & copyrighted by Jim Steinhart.
All rights reserved. Permission required to use.

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