Gilbert Stuart and 'The Skater': A Journey in Portraiture

What was the turning point in Gilbert Stuart's early career?

• His move to Paris

• His apprenticeship with Leonardo da Vinci

• The creation of 'The Skater'

• His first exhibition in New York

Who played a crucial role in Stuart's artistic development in London?

• Benjamin West

• John Singleton Copley

• Joshua Reynolds

• Thomas Gainsborough

What makes 'The Skater' a unique portrait in British art history?

• Its large size

• The subject shown ice skating

• The use of vibrant colors

• Its depiction of a historical battle

How did 'The Skater' influence Stuart's career in London?

• It was his last painting before retirement

• It established him as a leading portrait artist

• It was ignored by critics

• It led to his financial ruin

What was Stuart's major objective upon returning to the United States?

• To open an art school

• To paint landscapes

• To retire from painting

• To paint George Washington

Which famous portrait by Stuart is now on the American dollar bill?

• Thomas Jefferson

• Benjamin Franklin

• George Washington

• Abraham Lincoln

What artistic influences are evident in Stuart's work?

• Baroque architecture

• Cubism

• Renaissance and classical sculpture

• Impressionism

How is the theme of winter represented in 'The Skater'?

• Through the use of warm colors

• By depicting a snowstorm

• With silvery colors suggesting snow and ice

• By showing a fireplace in the background

What aspect of 'The Skater' draws the viewer's eye back to William Grant's face?

• The bright red coat

• The composition and movement

• The detailed background

• The use of gold leaf

What was the public's reaction to 'The Skater' at the 1782 Royal Academy show?

• It was considered too avant-garde

• It established Stuart as a prominent artist

• It was criticized for its lack of color

• It was largely ignored