George Washington 1843 - 1846

Rembrandt Peale painted this portrait of George Washington, though its exact date is unknown, it now resides in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Peale, born during the American Revolution, lived in a nation grappling with its identity, with Washington as its symbolic father figure. Peale’s portrait presents a stoic, idealized version of Washington, framed within a faux stone oval. Think about it, this isn't just a painting, but a carefully constructed image designed to project authority and legitimacy, particularly during a time of political and social upheaval. The general’s gaze is steady, his features composed, embodying the virtues of leadership so needed during a war. The artist attempts to solidify Washington's legacy, not just as a president, but as an almost mythic founder. And, while celebrating a leader, it's also worth reflecting on the historical narrative this portrait reinforces, what is included and what is left out. The portrait of Washington also obscures the complexities and contradictions inherent in the founding of a nation that professed liberty while perpetuating slavery.