Question
Here is the question : WHO SAVED A PORTRAIT OF WASHINGTON FROM BURNING DURING THE WAR OF 1812?
Option
Here is the option for the question :
- Dolley Madison
- George Clinton
- James Monroe
- Albert Gallatin
The Answer:
And, the answer for the the question is :
Explanation:
The first piece of artwork to be purchased specifically to hang in the White House was a portrait of George Washington painted by Gilbert Stuart in 1797. Dolley Madison, the first lady of the United States, gave the order to salvage the well-known full-length painting before the White House was burned down by British forces in 1814. In 1817, the picture was brought back to the White House, and it may still be seen there, hanging in the East Room.
During the War of 1812, the British forces invaded and occupied Washington D.C. in August 1814, setting fire to many public buildings including the White House. Amidst the chaos of the burning city, one of the most valuable items was saved by Dolley Madison, the wife of President James Madison. She managed to rescue a portrait of George Washington, the first President of the United States, from the burning White House, thereby preserving an important piece of American history.
Dolley Madison was born in North Carolina in 1768 and grew up in Virginia. She married James Madison in 1794 and became the first lady of the land when he was elected President in 1809. She was known for her sociability, charm and her role in shaping the social and political life of Washington D.C. during her husband’s presidency.
When the British forces were approaching Washington D.C. in August 1814, Dolley Madison knew she had to act quickly to save important items from the White House before the British arrived. She had already sent away many valuable items, including the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, but she realized that the portrait of George Washington was too large to move quickly. As the British troops approached, she ordered the frame to be taken down, and the canvas cut from its frame. She then rolled up the canvas and instructed several of her slaves to carry it out of the house to safety.
The British troops arrived shortly thereafter and set the White House on fire. Dolley Madison and her household had already fled the city, but she had left behind a note for the British commander, requesting that he spare the house of a friend who lived nearby. The note was honored, and the house was spared, but the White House and many other public buildings were burned to the ground.
The portrait of George Washington that Dolley Madison saved was later restored and returned to the White House, where it still hangs today. It is a testament to her bravery and her commitment to preserving the history and legacy of the United States.
Dolley Madison’s actions during the War of 1812 have been celebrated as an example of American patriotism and heroism. She risked her own safety to save an important piece of American history, and her actions have inspired generations of Americans to uphold the values of freedom, democracy, and the preservation of history.
Dolley Madison’s role in saving the portrait of George Washington from the burning White House during the War of 1812 is a testament to her courage, patriotism, and commitment to the preservation of American history. Her actions have inspired generations of Americans to honor and protect the legacy of the United States, and she remains an important figure in American history to this day.