George Washington 1796

Gilbert Stuart painted this portrait of George Washington, sometime between 1795 and 1796, during Washington's presidency. The portrait captures Washington, a man of great political and military power, at a critical juncture in American history. Beyond the image of a founding father, this portrait exists within a complex historical and cultural context. As a man of his time, Washington's identity was inextricably linked to the institution of slavery, a paradox that complicates his legacy. Stuart's work invites us to reflect on the nuanced and contradictory nature of historical figures. Looking at Washington's expression, there is a kind of stoicism and determination. This artwork is more than a depiction of a man; it's a reflection of the ideals and struggles of a nascent nation, forever captured on canvas.