Miniature Portrait of George Washington (1732-1799)

The miniature of George Washington was painted from life as a "first attempt" before doing a large portrait (now at Sulgrave Manor, Northamptonshire) commissioned by the 11th Earl of Buchan. Artist Archibald Robertson kept the miniature and its companion likeness of Martha Washington, stating that they were to remain in his family as "heirlooms" and as a memorial of his veneration for "the great and successful champion of American liberty."

The miniatures were painted within the six -week period between December 13, 1791, when Robertson arrived in Philadelphia, and the end of January 1792. John Trumbull, a close friend of the Washingtons and a renowned artist in his own right, commented in 1824 that "If we would behold the countenance of Washington ... when he begain to wane and had lost his teeth, Robertson's portrait is the best." One suspects that Martha's portrait, too, is probably the best glimpse we shall have of this woman in later years. Her contemporaries found Martha capable, gracious, and charming, and at her death she was memoralized as "the worthy partner of the worthiest of men."
Learn more at the link below.