PORTRAITS OF GEORGE WASHINGTON BY CHARLES WILLSON PEALE

The first painting of Washington from life was painted by Charles Willson Peale in 1772. For the portrait, Washington put on his uniform that he had worn during the French and Indian War (see above). Later during the Revolutionary War, Charles Willson Peale served on Washington's staff and painted numerous other paintings of Washington both during and after the Revolutionary War. The last time that he painted Washington from life was at Mount Vernon during a week long sitting where he was accompanied by his sons and brother.