The painting was made in 1796, less than ten years after the end of the American Revolution (Dambre, np). America did not want to see its leader painted as a king. On the contrary, Americans were doing everything in their power to get away from the rule of kings. So, Gilbert Stuart was tasked with creating a painting that demonstrated Washington’s leadership without displaying him as an absolute monarch. What’s more, Stuart was commissioned by William Bingham as a present for the first marquis of Lansdowne who had been a supporter of the American cause in British parliament during the Revolutionary War (George, np). The painting was meant as a huge symbol of appreciation and gratitude toward the marquis, as well as a subtle message that he had chosen the righteous path (George, np). Today, however, most of the message of gratitude is lost and the painting serves mainly as a symbol of America and the freedom the country
The painting was made in 1796, less than ten years after the end of the American Revolution (Dambre, np). America did not want to see its leader painted as a king. On the contrary, Americans were doing everything in their power to get away from the rule of kings. So, Gilbert Stuart was tasked with creating a painting that demonstrated Washington’s leadership without displaying him as an absolute monarch. What’s more, Stuart was commissioned by William Bingham as a present for the first marquis of Lansdowne who had been a supporter of the American cause in British parliament during the Revolutionary War (George, np). The painting was meant as a huge symbol of appreciation and gratitude toward the marquis, as well as a subtle message that he had chosen the righteous path (George, np). Today, however, most of the message of gratitude is lost and the painting serves mainly as a symbol of America and the freedom the country