George Washington

George Washington by Rembrandt Peale, after Gilbert Charles Stuart

What makes this image of George Washington iconic?

In 1854 Peale first delivered his lecture “Washington and His Portraits” at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. The following year, he wrote, “[I] feel my Vocation is to multiply the Countenance of Washington.” Peale sought to become the foremost expert and delineator of Washington’s image, and he traveled to Boston in order to make a copy of the famous Stuart portrait. Peale’s lectures, which became incredibly popular, featured his own copies of Washington portraits by other artists.

Medium
Oil on canvas
Credit

Memorial gift from Dr. T. Edward and Tullah Hanley, Bradford, Pennsylvania

Item ID
69.30.214
Dimensions
29 1/4 x 24 1/4 in. (74.3 x 61.6 cm)
Date
ca. 1854
Country
Artist name
Rembrandt Peale, after Gilbert Charles Stuart
Artwork location