United States House of Representatives: History, Art, & Archives
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George Washington

Portrait painting of George Washington, full length, in black suit, cravat, and shoes with buckles. His left hand is on his hip, next to a sword hilt. His right hand rests on a table with papers and a book. At his right, a partial landscape is visible between a column and building. A chair and folded paper are visible./tiles/collection/1/10740.xml
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Portrait painting of George Washington in a gold frame, reading “Washington” at the bottom. Washington is depicted full length, in black suit, cravat, and shoes with buckles. His left hand is on his hip, next to a sword hilt. His right hand rests on a table with papers and a book. At his right, a partial landscape is visible between a column and building. A chair and folded paper are visible./tiles/collection/1/10741.xml
Download this image
Portrait painting of George Washington, full length, in black suit, cravat, and shoes with buckles. His left hand is on his hip, next to a sword hilt. His right hand rests on a table with papers and a book. At his right, a partial landscape is visible between a column and building. A chair and folded paper are visible.
Portrait painting of George Washington in a gold frame, reading “Washington” at the bottom. Washington is depicted full length, in black suit, cravat, and shoes with buckles. His left hand is on his hip, next to a sword hilt. His right hand rests on a table with papers and a book. At his right, a partial landscape is visible between a column and building. A chair and folded paper are visible.
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Date

1834

Artist

John Vanderlyn

Dimensions

92 x 62 in. (233.7 x 157.5 cm)

Accession Number

2005.017.000

Credit Line

Collection of the U.S. House of Representatives

Object Details

John Vanderlyn, a leading American portrait artist in the first half of the 19th century, was commissioned in 1834 to paint the George Washington portrait that hangs in the House Chamber. The portrait was intended as a companion piece to Ary Sheffer’s portrait of the Marquis de Lafayette. As was common practice in 19th century portraiture, Vanderlyn modeled this painting after Gilbert Stuart’s authoritative life portrait referred to as the “Munro–Lenox Washington.” In addition to showing a reliable likeness, this composition shows the first president as a statesman, with sheathed sword at this side, indicating his retirement from military leadership and the hope of a peaceful future for the nation.

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Symbolism in the House Chamber

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Members of the U.S. House of Representatives meet to conduct legislative activities in the House Chamber. In this video, House Curator Farar Elliott describes the symbolism in the chamber and its artifacts.

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House Chamber 1951–Present: Art and Artifacts
House Chamber 1951–Present: Art and Artifacts
Office of the Historian: history@mail.house.gov
Office of Art & Archives, Office of the Clerk: art@mail.house.gov, archives@mail.house.gov