Gilbert Stuart

Reynolda House Museum of American Art

An early double portrait by Gilbert Stuart has been acquired by the Reynolda House Museum of American Art in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The elegant oil on canvas, titled Anna Dorothea Foster and Charlotte Anna Dick, was painted in Dublin, Ireland, during 1790 to 1791 and depicts Anna Dorothea Foster, the daughter of former Speaker of the House John Foster, on the right, and her cousin Charlotte Anna Dick on the left. Gilbert Stuart (1755-1828), Anna Dorothea Foster and Charlotte Anna Dick, 1790-91. Oil on canvas. Gift of Charlotte Hanes in honor of Philip and Joan Hanes, who had the vision of Winston-Salem being the City of the Arts.

The painting was gifted to the museum by Charlotte Metz Hanes, wife of the late R. Philip Hanes, who says she is committed to supporting the arts in Winston-Salem and continuing her husband’s legacy. American businessman Philip Hanes was a major leader and patron of the arts for the Winston-Salem community and was part of the Board of Trustees for the University of North Carolina School of the Arts.

“I never imagined that Reynolda House would ever have the opportunity to acquire another painting by Gilbert Stuart since paintings of this quality are so rarely available today,” says Barbara Babcock Millhouse, the museum’s founding director. “I was delighted to learn that Charlotte Hanes had a keen interest in donating this work of art to Reynolda. We were honored to accept the gift, and I consider it a fitting way to honor Phil Hanes and his love of American art.” —