Portrait of George Washington Gilbert Stuart (1755-1828)

Description of Gilbert Stuart’s Portrait of George Washington

Portraiture, as an art genre, has been known since ancient times. But not every artist was able to paint people so that the portrait not only resembled facial features, but also conveyed the person’s character, mood, and emotional state. The American painter Gilbert Stuart (1755-1828) succeeded to the fullest extent.

Portraiture was especially popular in that era, when faith in the possibilities of man, in his common sense and transformative power was maximized. The end of the 18th century was a time of colossal change for America, when one individual was capable of changing the course of history. Such was the President of the United States, George Washington.

Gilbert painted several of his portraits, and the famous "The Athenaeum" remained unfinished, which unnerved the President himself. From the latter the artist made 130 copies. He sold them to ensure the livelihood of the family, but without success. Due to lack of funds, Gilbert Stuart, who painted portraits of several heads of state, was buried in a mass grave. It is an incredible injustice, as even on the U.S. bill has been a portrait of the President for more than a hundred years, made by his hand.

In 1797, a full-length portrait of George Washington was painted. Before us is the statuesque figure of a man in the pose of an orator, in civilian clothes. Despite his mature age, he has a proud posture. Wonderfully painted eyes, bright, calm, thinking. His lips are tightly pressed, his mouth stands out with a characteristic bite. A slight blush indicates a lively character.

The hands, well-groomed, with long fingers, are surprisingly beautifully painted. Open right palm, facing the viewer, as if inviting a dialogue.  In his left hand, Washington holds a sword, a symbol of power and military success.

In contrast to the figure’s dark clothing, the office is brightly decorated with red tablecloths, muted burgundy curtains, and carved furniture with gilt trim. Symbolic of the rainbow in the background, which seems to say, "As long as George Washington rules us, there will be peace in the country.