Final answer:
The image of George Washington at the Constitutional Convention signifies the representation of civilian leadership over military command and reflects the presence of prominent and experienced statesmen at the convention.
Step-by-step explanation:
The image of George Washington presiding over the 1787 Constitutional Convention illustrates the representation and symbolic significance of the presidency in the early United States. As depicted in Gilbert Stuart's Lansdowne Portrait, Washington is portrayed with a sheathed sword and in civilian clothing, signaling his resignation from military command and serving as a symbol of the civilian leadership of the new nation. The presence of the Constitution and laws depicted in the portrait further emphasize the support for the new government and its foundational document. The men who attended the Constitutional Convention, like George Washington, were among the most prominent and experienced leaders of the revolutionary and post-revolutionary era, signifying a representation of elite, educated statesmen shaping the future of the country.