George Washington, Monumental presidential portrait in National Gallery of Art, Washington DC, United States.
George Washington is an oil painting on wood depicting the nation's first president dressed in black velvet with a white lace-trimmed shirt. The composition uses a formal portrait arrangement with a neutral background that emphasizes the subject's dignity.
Gilbert Stuart created this work based on a direct sitting with President Washington in 1796 while in Philadelphia. The painting was completed later in 1821 and became the definitive visual reference for future portrayals of the nation's founder.
The portrait stands as the definitive representation of the first United States president, with Stuart painting approximately 100 versions throughout his career.
The painting is publicly accessible at the National Gallery of Art and displayed in a climate-controlled gallery room. Visitors should allow time to view the work from various distances to appreciate its finer details.
Stuart painted approximately one hundred variations of this portrait throughout his career, yet each version carries its own provenance. This specific canvas came from Colonel George Gibbs' collection and later passed through several prominent private hands.
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