Our master is known for his portraits of George Washington; thanks to this we can have a vivid image of what our most famous American, our Founding Father, looked like. Of course you all know that Washington had a set of false teeth after suffering from bad dental health for years, so this had the effect of molding the shape of his lips...Note that he is never depicted smiling. Washington was inaugurated for his first term as President in 1789.
Being President, certainly Washington would be the subject of many portraits of the day. And our Gibby did not sign his works. Can it be easily discerned which are true Stuart portraits? Can we abide by Stuart's "stated" signature, that the portrait in its entirety is his signature?
Janet has sent me photos of a portrait along with a note containing a bit of background:
"My husband and I own a very early oil painting of George Washington. We have owned it for many many years. My husband purchased it from an art dealer in Massachusetts I am guessing 20-30 years ago. He is almost 85 so not exactly sure. We are not familiar with art other than a few that we have owned for our own enjoyment. If I send you a picture of it can you give me any information about it? It is not signed. I recently tried to find out about early oil paintings by Gilbert Stuart. It would be a miracle if it were by him. It is wonderful and we do love it! Please let me know if you are willing to take a look at it....I read you told a man to send you a picture to verify IF it could be by Gilbert Stuart...."
MY ANSWER AND MORE ABOUT STUART'S WASHINGTON PORTRAITS IN THE NEXT POST
the unsigned portrait in its frame, detail of the face, and detail of the neckcloth
Here is another George Washington, is it by Gilbert Stuart? for a post on this Click on this link:
If there are other portraits of G.W., please send them (photos) to me bethjena at gmail
