Four prominent portraitists were active in New York City between 1790 and 1825. Despite working in the same location, these artists had different training, developed distinct aesthetics, and often worked for distinct groups of patrons. Gilbert Stuart returned to the United States in 1793 and established himself as the preeminent portraitist in New York City. This coincided with a moment of political harmony in the United States. John Vanderlyn received most of his training in Paris in the studio of a prominent French neoclassicist. When Vanderlyn re-turned to New York City,...