George Washington sat for several portrait artists during his lifetime. Charles Willson Peale and Gilbert Stuart produced arguably the most well known paintings of the first president. Mount Vernon Ladies' Association nicely summarizes all life portraits of Washington.
My favorites are Charles Willson Peale's first and last portraitures, as they show the confidant man of 1772 and the aged, mature man of 1795.
|
| Source: Museums at Washington and Lee University |
The 1772 portrait is rich with symbols that show the importance Washington had already achieved during the French and Indian War and colonial period.
The "Museums at Washington and Lee University: Online Exhibits" has an excellent analysis of the symbols and context for this portrait.
-cropped.jpg)
|
| Source: New-York Historical Society |
The 1795 portrait comes halfway through his second term as the first President of the United States. It shows a man with steely determination yet wearied by the burdens of the Presidency. At the time of this portrait Washington had led the nation through the ratification of the contentious and unpopular Jay Treaty.
