Very few people are aware of General Grant's artistic ability. He was a very accomplished painter and paid a lot of attention to detail. While he was a cadet at West Point, he completed many paintings and sketches which still survive. Though self-effacing, Grant was proud of his ability to paint, and as President spoke of the satisfaction he derived from producing something "artistic." In the 1870's, he told his neighbor, George Childs, that he had liked painting and drawing while he was at West Point. Grant always used watercolors in his work. Many of his works are privately owned and there are several others on display in museums.

This painting of an Indian trader, complete with a dog and a woman breastfeeding, is on display at the museum of the United States Military Academy, West Point. Grant retained this painting until the 1870's. He then gave it to Adolph Borie, Secretary of the Navy and one of General Grant's favorite card playing partners.

Above is a painting Grant executed in 1840 when he was eighteen years old. He gave this painting to his girlfriend of that period, Kate Lowe.

This painting of a horse was one Grant did in 1842. This large draft animal was an obvious drawing choice for Grant, since he was enamored with horses his entire life. Considered the greatest rider in the army, one of the few instances when Grant became angry was when he saw a teamster mistreating a horse during the Civil War.