M.De La. Fayette 1757-1834. Oil on panel memorial portrait of the Marquis de Lafayette. circa 1834. Visible approx. 3-inch diameter., framed to 5 ¼ x 5 ½. Artist’s signature to bottom right margin: “FABCAT.”

A finely rendered bust-view memorial painting of the Marquis de Lafayette, Major General of the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. Lafayette is depicted in uniform, his rank insignia clearly visible.

Born in 1757, the young French aristocrat and military officer crossed the Atlantic in 1777 to aid the American cause. Motivated by Enlightenment ideals and a belief in liberty, he volunteered his service to George Washington’s army, quickly distinguishing himself on the battlefield. His most decisive role came in 1781, when he commanded forces at the siege of Yorktown, helping secure the final major victory of the Revolution. After returning to France, Lafayette emerged as a central figure in the political upheavals of 1789, balancing his support for reform with loyalty to constitutional monarchy. His reputation endured throughout decades of turmoil, and in 1830, during the July Revolution, he famously refused dictatorial power, underscoring his lifelong commitment to democratic principles. Celebrated on both sides of the Atlantic, Lafayette remains a towering figure in the histories of France and the United States alike.

A fine memorial portrait.

[American Revolutionary War, American Revolution, Founding Fathers, Declaration of Independence, Colonial America, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton, James Monroe] [Manuscripts, Documents, Letters, Ephemera, Signatures, Autographs]