Say "Stoic"

Look at these portraits of our Founding Fathers.

George Washington:


John Adams:


Thomas Jefferson:


James Madison:


Alexander Hamilton:


Ben Franklin:


(Okay fine) Aaron Burr:


Now look back at John Adams.

Notice anything different/special about his portrait? These men knew they were making history while they were alive, and pretty early on got ready for history to look back at them. They knew what they were doing. They knew we'd know them, and they wanted us to look kindly not only at them but on their cause, and their view of what the American Revolution really meant. They kept records of what they did. They kept all correspondences (and were often writing to us just as much as they were writing to each other). They also posed often for portraits. John Adams stands out in this area, because he could never stand to hold the same pose for very long at all. Everyone else has the same stoic, noble, courageous look on their face, but Adams looks hilarious, not being able to sit still (with that absurd expression) for a very long time at all. What a funny guy.

I know. I'm a geek.

Chice