• Forecourt of the Folie de la Bouëxière
    Guillaume-Martin Couture
    drawings & plans
    This is an ink and gouache depiction of the Folie de la Bouëxière, the estate future president James Monroe purchased on March 28, 1795 while serving as the United States Minister to France under President George Washington. This representation highlights the unique, off-set approach to the estate, which appeared suddenly at the end of a long road lined with trees instead of at a more common straight axis. Monroe purchased the estate for 350,000 francs and lived there with wife Elizabeth, daughter Elizabeth "Eliza" Kortright Monroe, seven servants, a chef, a coachman, and a gardener for two years. The Monroes entertained at the estate, inviting a social circle that included other Americans and French officials.
  • View of the Folie de la Bouëxière
    Guillaume-Martin Couture
    drawings & plans
    This is an ink and gouache depiction of the Folie de la Bouëxière, the estate future president James Monroe purchased on March 28, 1795 while serving as the United States Minister to France under President George Washington. This representation highlights the gardens and slopes used to keep the estate private for its residents. Berms and banks were used on the east and west sides to conceal the estate. Monroe purchased the estate for 350,000 francs and lived there with wife Elizabeth, daughter Elizabeth "Eliza" Kortright Monroe, seven servants, a chef, a coachman, and a gardener for two years. The Monroes entertained at the estate, inviting a social circle that included other Americans and French officials.
  • Garden Front of the Folie de la Bouëxière
    Guillaume-Martin Couture
    drawings & plans
    This is an ink and gouache depiction of the Folie de la Bouëxière, the estate future president James Monroe purchased on March 28, 1795 while serving as the United States Minister to France under President George Washington. This representation highlights the south front of the estate, with its rows of French doors leading from the large salon inside out onto the terrace and the gardens beyond. Atop the estate is a rooftop tent, used for dinners and afternoon teas. Monroe purchased the estate for 350,000 francs and lived there with wife Elizabeth, daughter Elizabeth "Eliza" Kortright Monroe, seven servants, a chef, a coachman, and a gardener for two years. The Monroes entertained at the estate, inviting a social circle that included other Americans and French officials.
  • Forecourt of the Folie de la Bouëxière
    Guillaume-Martin Couture
    drawings & plans
    This is an ink and gouache depiction of the Folie de la Bouëxière, the estate future president James Monroe purchased on March 28, 1795 while serving as the United States Minister to France under President George Washington. This representation highlights the unique, off-set approach to the estate, which appeared suddenly at the end of a long road lined with trees instead of at a more common straight axis. Monroe purchased the estate for 350,000 francs and lived there with wife Elizabeth, daughter Elizabeth "Eliza" Kortright Monroe, seven servants, a chef, a coachman, and a gardener for two years. The Monroes entertained at the estate, inviting a social circle that included other Americans and French officials.
  • Young James Monroe
    Louis Sené
    portrait
    This miniature is the earliest known portrait of future president James Monroe. It was painted with watercolor on ivory by French artist Louis Sené while Monroe served as the United States Minister to France. It was made to complement a contemporary miniature of Monroe's wife, Elizabeth.
  • James Monroe
    Unknown
    sculpture
    This ivory sculpture of is President James Monroe. This sculpture was made by an unknown artist around the late 19th century. Prior to his presidency, Monroe served in the United States Senate for the Commonwealth of Virginia and as secretary of state and secretary of war during the administration of President James Madison. He was the fifth president of the United States, serving from 1817 to 1825.
  • Eliza Monroe
    Unknown
    First Family
    portrait
    This portrait by an unknown artist depicts Elizabeth "Eliza" Kortright Monroe, daughter of President James Monroe and First Lady Elizabeth Monroe. Eliza was their first child, and this portrait may have been done during her father's tenure as United States Minister to France.
  • Elizabeth Monroe
    Eben F. Comins
    portrait
    This is a reproduction of a portrait of Elizabeth Monroe attributed to John Vanderlyn. The reproduction was painted by Eben Farrington Comins. Monroe accompanied her husband James Monroe on trips to Europe while he was the U.S. Minister. On one trip, she played a role in saving the wife of the Marquis de Lafayette from being executed by guillotine. Her role as First Lady in the White House was limited by her ailments.