Description
Principal author of the Declaration of Independence and the third President of the United States, Thomas Jefferson, remains a highly influential and important early politician in America's history. During the years leading up to the American Revolution, Jefferson was highly regarded for his political values that centered on democracy, individual rights, and the importance of the republic. Jefferson represented Virginia in the Continental Congress during the Revolutionary War as well as the second governor of the state from 1779 to 1781. Jefferson also became the first Secretary of State under George Washington following his position as Minister to France starting in 1785.Perhaps Jefferson's most significant contribution to American history occurred in 1803 with the Louisiana Purchase. This westward expansion brokered with the French doubled the nation's claimed lands, and began a period of considerable settlement across the American west that would continue for the next two centuries. After retiring from his political career, Jefferson would go on to found the University of Virginia in Charlottesville. This lithograph continued the tradition of presidential portraits that memorialize former presidents and features Jefferson under a bust of influential early American political philosopher Benjamin Franklin. Jefferson and Franklin maintained a close relationship, and the latter was a critical collaborator while Jefferson drafted the Declaration of Independence.The distinctive aesthetic and classic style of this print immediately transports the viewer back in time and creates a link to one of America's most influential thinkers. This piece is an iconic piece of American political history. Overall Size: 10" H x 8" W x 0.01" D
