Posted on 07/31/2014 10:19:20 AM PDT by afraidfortherepublic
You’ve seen it: the iconic portrait of the first President, one hand clutching a sword, the other arm outstretched over an ornate table that is artfully mussed. Below this table are a few books: General Orders, American Revolution, and The Constitution and Laws of the United Sates.
You read that right: The country is identified as the United Sates, not the United States.
This masterpiece hangs in the East Room, the luxurious White House salon that holds social events and ceremonies, where the President hosts dignitaries from other countries and honors Americans for their contributions to society. And yet, the country’s name is misspelled.
But that misspelling isn't an accident.
Two hundred years ago last week, the British set fire to America's fledgling capital during the second year of the War of 1812. Dolley Madison, the first lady at the time, “refused to be rushed" in evacuating the White House, says Anthony Pitch, a tour guide with Washington, D.C. Sightseeing who spoke Tuesday at a White House Historical Association lecture.
“She insisted on staying to save the $800 portrait of Washington,” Pitch said. Some historical accounts claim the first lady ordered workers to “save that picture!”
~snip~
What Madison didn’t know was that the portrait was actually a copy of the original created by artist Gilbert Stuart in 1797. The misspelling of "United Sates" was done on purpose: That's what proves it's a copy.
The original, called the "Lansdowne Portrait," was named for the Marquise of Lansdowne, who, ironically, was the former British prime minister and the first owner of the portrait. The painting of the celebrity president was wildly popular, so Stuart painted several reproductions, one of which was bought by the U.S. government. Misspelling "the United States" was Stuart's way of differentiating...
(Excerpt) Read more at theatlantic.com ...
I’ve only seen it as Dolly. Since her Will has it spelled with just the Y and the family says it’s so, then that’s as it should be. Surely, there are records with her signature but I didn’t see any in a quick search.
I found her signature, but she seemed to sign everything D. P. Madison.
Or it could be D. T. Madison.
If only a tornado would save us today...
Well, one way or another, it’s going to take an act of God.
Neither did I. That's why I posted it! :)
And that’s how it got it’s name. Dolly (Dolley, Dollie) had it painted white to cover up the burn marks.
We just had sate for makan malam, supper, last night. Bought from a street vendor. Yum! Enak sekali.
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