This piece is based on a portrait of 39-year-old Theodore Roosevelt in October 1898 by George Gardner Rockwood. At the time, Roosevelt was leading the Rough Riders during the Spanish-American War, shortly before gaining national fame for his charge up San Juan Hill. This photograph captures Roosevelt at a pivotal moment in his career, just as he was transitioning from a soldier to a celebrated political figure, eventually leading him to the presidency. The adaptation emphasizes his determined character, capturing the qualities shaping his legacy.