List of paintings of George Washington

George Washington was an American general of the Continental Army, first president of the United States, from 1789 to 1797, and one of the country's many Founding Fathers.^[1][2] Washington led patriot forces in the American Revolutionary War against the British Empire; Washington and the Continental Army defeated British forces on October 19, 1781.^[3][4]

Washington presided over the Philadelphia Convention in 1787, which drafted the Constitution of the United States. Washington was succeeded by John Adams who was previously the vice president.^[5]

He died on December 14, 1799, at age 67 from a throat infection, likely acute bacterial epiglottitis; he was entombed at Mount Vernon estate in Fairfax County, Virginia, with his wife, Martha Washington, being entombed next to him when she died in 1802.^[6][7][8][9]

Washington was painted many times throughout his life due to his high importance in the United States.^[10][11] Because he was also the first president of the United States, people wanted official portraits for government buildings, statehouses, and public institutions.^[12] There were also no cameras during his lifetime, as they were invented about 50 years after he died, meaning paintings were the main way to preserve his likeness.^[13][14]

One of the most iconic paintings of Washington is the Athenaeum Portrait, an unfinished portrait painted by American painter Gilbert Stuart in 1796.^[15] Stuart later used the painting as a reference for other copies and adaptations.^[16] The portrait is also used as the engraving on the United States one-dollar bill.^[17]