- Why would Stuart have wanted to learn art the “European way”? Europe had universities and art academies that had been around for hundreds of years, whereas the (recently founded) United States had almost nothing of that nature. Elements that reflect Stuart’s European training: the background; columns, clouds, drapery.
- Why layer color?
- Why did Stuart paint him with his arm outstretched? (Oratorical pose)
- How does Washington’s appearance reflect how he wants other people to see him? Contemporary European rulers wore ornate wigs and brightly colored clothes.
-Define physiognomy: The assessment of a person's character or personality from their outer appearance, especially the face.
- How would you describe Washington’s character, based on his face?
Facial expressions in painted portraits:
A well-executed portrait is expected to show the inner essence of the subject (from the artist's point of view) or a flattering representation, not just a literal likeness. Artists may strive for photographic realism or an impressionistic similarity in depicting their subject, but this differs from a caricature which attempts to reveal character through exaggeration of physical features. The artist generally attempts a representative portrayal, as Edward Burne-Jones stated, "The only expression allowable in great portraiture is the expression of character and moral quality, not anything temporary, fleeting, or accidental." In most cases, this results in a serious, closed lip stare, with anything beyond a slight smile being rather rare historically. A full range of subtle emotions is possible from quiet menace to gentle contentment, even with the mouth relatively neutral; much of the facial expression is created through the eyes and eyebrows. As author and artist Gordon C. Aymar states, "the eyes are the place one looks for the most complete, reliable, and pertinent information" about the subject. And the eyebrows can register, "almost single-handedly, wonder, pity, fright, pain, cynicism, concentration, wistfulness, displeasure, and expectation, in infinite variations and
combinations."
- Why did Stuart make copies of his painting? Why did so many people want portraits of GW?
Stuart’s other portraits of Washington:
Athenaeum portrait – used as Washington’s picture on the $1 bill
Vaughan portrait
Williamstown portrait
Portraits on US currency:
$1: George Washington, Athenaeum portrait, Gilbert Stuart
$2: Thomas Jefferson, Gilbert Stuart
$5: Abraham Lincoln, both versions of this bill are based on photographs taken by Matthew Brady in 1864
$10: Alexander Hamilton, John Trumbull, 1805
$20: Andrew Jackson, Thomas Sully
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