Portrait Gallery in the Second Bank of the United States, Philadelphia

The Second Bank of the United States was built in the 1820s and provided credit to federal agencies and private businesses. Now, it's a portrait gallery featuring many colonial and government leaders, including many of the Founding Fathers. The majority of the paintings are by the Peale family. Charles Willson Peale and his brother James were artists, as were their respective children. 

First up is George Washington, leader of the Continental Army and first President of the United States.

George Washington

The picture above Washington (the label is blurry in the picture!)

The Philadelphia City Coat of Arms is depicted, though I think the disembodied arm of justice is a little disturbing. The plow and the boat represent agriculture and commerce. The two women represent education and plenty.

Philadelphia City Coat of Arms, with an extra arm

The Marquis de Lafayette has two pictures, one showing his younger self during the war, the other showing him when he visited Philadelphia again in 1824.

Young Lafayette

Not-so-young Lafayette

James Madison was the father of the Constitution and an advocate for the Bill of Rights. He was the fourth president of the United States.

James Madison

Ben Franklin is a popular local hero for all the work he had done improving life in Pennsylvania.

Ben Franklin

Alexander Hamilton was another influential Founding Father who advocated things like a federal bank, so it's only natural for him to be depicted here.

Alexander Hamilton

Henry Knox was a general during the American War for Independence and was the first Secretary of War during Washington's presidency.

Henry Knox

John Witherspoon was a representative from New Jersey and a signer of the Declaration of Independence. He was a minister and taught at the college that eventually became Princeton. Since I am originally from New Jersey, I have some affinity for him.

John Witherspoon

John Adams is another famous Founding Father. He represented Massachusetts at the Second Continental Congress and was the second President of the United States.

John Adams

The gallery has over 150 portraits, including some walls packed full of images.

Too many to name

Even with the large number of paintings, the gallery is not very big and is easy to browse through quickly or to spend time pondering the men and their ideas.