Final answer:
George Washington's portraits, most notably by Gilbert Stuart and Charles Wilson Peale, were pivotal in shaping the image of America's first president. Stuart's The Athenaeum and the Lansdowne Portrait used classical grandeur to symbolize the new nation and the presidency, while Peale's work highlighted Washington's military prowess. These portraits are preserved as national treasures and foundational images of American history.
Step-by-step explanation:
George Washington Portraits
Portraits of George Washington by artists such as Gilbert Stuart and Charles Wilson Peale became iconic symbols in capturing the essence of America's first president and the new nation. Gilbert Stuart is renowned for the unfinished The Athenaeum portrait from 1796, which despite its incompletion served as a model for his many reproductions and the image on the one-dollar bill. Another known work by Stuart is the Lansdowne Portrait, which, in the language of the European Grand Manner, encapsulates not only Washington's likeness but also the symbolic elements of the presidency and the New Republic. He is depicted in an American made black velvet suit, and the setting includes symbolic ionic columns and open sky, signifying the ideals of the young republic. Charles Wilson Peale's portraits, on the other hand, show Washington in military attire against a stormy backdrop, emphasizing his role as a military leader.
Gilbert Stuart's Impact
Stuart's work played a vital role in shaping the accepted image of George Washington before the era of photography. He produced three types of Washington portraits—'Vaughan Type', 'Athenaeum Type', and 'Lansdowne Type'—with the Lansdowne type being a full-length illustration that reflected Washington's role as the civilian commander-in-chief rather than a military officer. Elements such as the American made suit and the ceremonial sword he carried were carefully chosen to depict Washington's character and the values of the new nation.
Peale's Military Depiction of Washington
Contrasting with Stuart's representations, Charles Wilson Peale's paintings of Washington present him as a formidable military figure. These portraits were composed during Washington's younger years and intended to project him as a powerful and capable leader, poised to command both the army and the fledgling nation.
Legacy and Preservation
First Lady Dolly Madison is credited for rescuing the Lansdowne Portrait during the War of 1812, reiterating the historical and cultural value these portraits hold. They not only represent the individual they depict but also symbolize the identity and values of the United States at its conception.