The Statuettes of George S. Stuart — Part 1: Political Leaders of 1775

I recently discovered the fantastic works of Southern California artist George S. Stuart, a talented artist and historian who has spent much of his career sculpting important historic figures. His subjects cover everything from the American Civil War to the Russian monarchy (tsars), from Spanish Conquistadors to mythological heroes. His work I found most interesting was that of the American Revolution, a category for which he has thus far produced twenty-nine statuettes. With the kind permission of his gallery, I highlight below each of his Revolutionary War statuettes that pertain to a character important to, or featured prominently in, my forthcoming book, 1775. This week I highlight the statuettes of political leaders. Next week, I will highlight the army generals.

The first two statuettes of gentlemen featured prominently in my book 1775 are those of the cousins Samuel and John Adams, two of the handful of Whigs in Boston that were at the forefront of the revolutionary movement. Samuel Adams appears in Stuart’s statuette as middle-aged, appropriate for his appearance in 1775. John Adams, however, is featured as he might have appeared much later in life, perhaps circa his presidency at the turn of the 19th century.

Samuel Adams

John Adams

Another important character of the book 1775 is Dr. Benjamin Franklin. In 1775, Franklin was only slowly aligning his politics with that of the radicals of Boston, but his statesmanship and gravitas was crucial in shaping the coming political storm of the Second Continental Congress.

Benjamin Franklin

These American revolutionaries were convinced their foe was British Parliament, not King George the Third. But time would reveal that the Tory-controlled Parliament was very much following the will of their king. Here King George is as he appeared in 1780.

King George III in 1780

Next week: More of George Stuart’s fascinating art: the generals of the Revolutionary War in 1775.

Peter d’Aprix photographed all the images here, while artist George Stuart was the sculptor of the statuettes featured in the images. The artist’s gallery kindly gave permission for their use. Learn more about the artist’s work.