Artist: Gibert Stuart

Title: George Washington

Date: 1787

Medium: painting

Provenance: The White House

Source:https://www.google.com/culturalinstitute/asset-viewer/george-washington/kQERa87syyG-sQ?projectId=art-project 

Description: 

-George is gesturing with his left arm, 

-a column behind George, 

-a table is on the right of George, 

-tablecloth and curtains are red, 

-carpet underneath George

Analysis of Elements of Art/ Analysis of Principles of Design

Line: Stuart utilizes natural free flowing lines. None of the angles in this painting appear to stiff which help create a more realistic mood to George Washington. 

Shape: Geometric shapes are utilized in the creation of the books and shape of the table. This piece utilizes free flowing shapes in George Washington’s body which shows natural curves that are not too rigid. 

Form:George Washington’s body serves as an organic form in this piece. The side table would be a geometric form in this painting. 

Emphasis: Stuart focuses upon George Washington by making him the center and most prominent point in this piece.

Proportion: The size of George Washington compared to that of the table is realistic to how it would appear in reality. Proportion creates realism in this instance. 

Interpretation: 

Line help depict a sense of empowerment and leadership in George Washington’s face and stance. The colors used, red and black, show signs of importance. Personally, I interpret Washington’s stance as him directing something. I interpret the man as a person of a powerful position even if I had not known background information about Washingtons. However, the weapon he holds may lead one to believe there is danger coming or he is directing soldiers.

 Judgment: 

I do not particularly feel drawn to this piece. I am familiar with this piece because it has been in numerous history books, so I feel as though if I were to see it in a museum or gallery I might keep walking. To a viewer unfamiliar with the piece, I feel the artist has created a piece viewers would be curious to see. The artist successfully conveys the value of Washington as a leader.