Artwork
George Washington
George Washington is an oil painting by the American Impressionist artist Gilbert Stuart. It dates from 1800 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Technique & Style
Stylistically, the composition is based on Gilbert Stuart's renowned Athenaeum Portrait, adhering to the formal conventions of that specific likeness.
Executed in 1800, this portrait of George Washington is an oil painting on canvas support. The work measures approximately 73.2 by 60.5 centimeters. Stylistically, the composition is based on Gilbert Stuart's renowned Athenaeum Portrait, adhering to the formal conventions of that specific likeness.
As a genre portrait, the piece utilizes standard oil paint application typical of Stuart's practice during this period. The physical object has survived from its creation in the early nineteenth century through various private collections before entering public institutional care, indicating a condition sufficient for preservation and display, though specific details regarding surface handling, varnish status, or conservation interventions are not explicitly detailed in the available records.
History & Provenance
Gilbert Stuart created this oil-on-canvas portrait of George Washington in 1800, based on his Athenaeum Portrait. The work's documented ownership began with Thomas B. Carroll of Saratoga, New York, who held it until his estate sale at the American Art Association in New York on May 22, 1895. It was subsequently acquired by J.O. Wright or possibly Mrs. Mary Bacon Ford, followed by Charles Conrad Ruthrauff of New York.
Later, the painting passed through the hands of Miss Mary Ellen Ford and Charles Henry Hart in Philadelphia before being purchased by William A. Clark of New York by 1905. Clark bequeathed the portrait to the Corcoran Gallery of Art in Washington in 1926. Finally, the National Gallery of Art acquired the work in 2014, where it remains part of the collection.
The portrait is currently held by the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., where it was acquired in 2014 with the accession number 2014.136.46. Prior to this transfer, the work was bequeathed in 1926 to the Corcoran Gallery of Art, also in Washington, D.C., following the death of William A. Clark, who had purchased it by 1905. The painting's provenance traces back through earlier owners including Charles Conrad Ruthrauff and the estate of Thomas B. Carroll, who sold it at an American Art Association auction in New York in May 1895.
While the sources detail the work's location history and ownership transitions, they do not record specific exhibition dates or venues for this particular canvas.
Legacy
Gilbert Stuart's 1800 portrait of George Washington, now housed in the National Gallery of Art, has functioned as the definitive visual model for the president's likeness. Its inclusion in the National Gallery's collection and earlier bequest to the Corcoran Gallery ensured public exposure, while its reproduction in exhibitions and publications reinforced a standard image that shaped Washington's posthumous reputation. The work's provenance, tracing from Thomas B. Carroll through J.O. Wright, William A. Clark, and finally the National Gallery, highlights its status as a nationally recognized artwork. As documented in scholarly records, the portrait's influence persists in subsequent depictions of Washington across media.
Overview
This oil on canvas painting, titled George Washington, was created by Gilbert Stuart around 1800. It presents a formal portrait of the first President of the United States. Stuart's work became widely recognized for its depiction of prominent figures of the era, and this piece exemplifies his approach to capturing the likeness of his sitters.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait depicts George Washington in formal attire, conveying a serious and composed demeanor. Stuart meticulously rendered details such as the folds in his clothing and the nuances of his facial expression. This careful attention aimed to reveal aspects of Washington's character and presence, offering viewers an intimate yet dignified representation of the historical figure.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Gilbert Stuart (né Stewart; December 3, 1755 – July 9, 1828) was an American painter born in the Rhode Island Colony who is widely considered one of America's foremost portraitists.
