Washington, George - Lansdowne Portrait by Gilbert Stuart Art Print

An archival premium Quality Art Print of the Lansdowne Portrait of George Washington painted by Gilbert Stuart in 1797 for sale by Brandywine General Store. The original of this oil on canvas portrait measures 8 ft by 5 ft and is now in the National Portrait Gallery of the Smithsonian in Washington DC. This large life size painting of President Washingon was commissioned by Senator William Binghams of Pennsylvania as a gift for Lord Lansdowne of England, who was sympathetic to the young country of the United States and supported their breaking away from England. At this time, Senator Binghams was one of the richest people in the United States. He liked this portrait so well that he commissioned one for himself. Several other people also saw the portrait and wanted copies, so Gilbert Stuart painted a couple more copies of this life size portrait of George Washington. This was the first presidential portrait to hang in the White House and was saved by Dolly Madison when the British burnt the White House in the War of 1812. The raised right arm of Washington is from the Romans, signifying oratory skills, it is thought this was painted when Washington was addressing Congress that he was not going to run as a third term as President. Some people also think now that this might have been when Washington was addressing Congress to pass the Jay Treaty. The painter Stuart Gilbert commented " When I painted him (Washington) he had just had a set of false teeth installed, which accounts for the constrained expression so noticeable about the mouth and lower part of the face". Famous people art print #03