Letter from George Washington to Gilbert Stuart
Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Object type: Document
Date: April 11, 1796
Artist: George Washington, 22 Feb 1732 - 14 Dec 1799
Addressee: Gilbert Stuart, 3 Dec 1755 - 9 Jul 1828
Medium: Ink on paper
Dimensions: Portfolio (closed): 23.8 x 21.6 x 2.5cm (9 3/8 x 8 1/2 x 1")
Portfolio (opened): 25.1 x 42.9 x 3.5cm (9 7/8 x 16 7/8 x 1 3/8")
Frame: 58.5 × 43.5cm (23 1/16 × 17 1/8")
Credit line: National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; acquired through the generosity of Robert B. and Lynne B. Uhler
Topics: Letters
Autograph
Exhibition Label: Pennsylvania Senator William Bingham and his wife commissioned Gilbert Stuart to paint a portrait of George Washington in 1796. They presented the likeness to the Marquess of Lansdowne, who, as prime minister of Great Britain, had helped negotiate an end to the Revolutionary War.
In this original letter, written in April 1796, Washington asks where the artist would like to meet him for a sitting. Stuart annotated the document in 1823, noting that the “Lansdowne” portrait, as it had come to be known, was “the only original painting I ever made of Washington except one I own myself: I painted a third, but rubbed it out.”
William Bingham, senador de Pensilvania, y su esposa encargaron a Gilbert Stuart un retrato de George Washington en 1796. Luego lo ofrecieron al marqués de Lansdowne, quien, como primer ministro de Gran Bretaña, ayudó a negociar el fin de la Guerra de Independencia.
En esta carta original, Washington pregunta al artista dónde quisiera que se encontraran. Stuart anotó el documento en 1823, indicando que el que se conoce como el retrato “Lansdowne”, era “la única pintura original que hice de Washington, salvo una que yo conservo: pinté una tercera, pero la borré”.
["Mr. Stuart Clement Street\nSir,\nI am under promise to Mr. Bingham, to set for you to mor- row at nine o'clock, and wishing to know if it be convenient to you that I should do so, where it shall be at your own house (as she talked of the State House) I send this note to you, to ask infor- mation - I am Sir\nYour Obedient Servt G. Washington\nMonday 9 th Ap r 1796.\nIn looking over my papers to find one that had the signature of Geo. Washington, I found this asking me when he should sit for his portrait, which is now owned by Samuel Williams of London, I have thought it proper it should be his especially as he owns the only known original painting I ever made of Washington except one done myself. I painted a third but rubbed it out. I now present to this Brother Timothy Williams Jr. Samuel - Boston 9 th Day March 1823.\nG. Washington\nAttest J. P. Davis W. Dutton L. Baldwin\nN.B. Mr. Stuart painted in Washington's season, his portrait of Washington, but destroyed it. The next portrait was of one now owned by S. Williams; the third Mr. S. now has. -two only remain as above stated. W"
 "Mr Stuart Chemist Street\nSir,\nI am under promise to Mrs Bingham, to set her free tomorrow at nine o'clock; and wishing to know if it be convenient to you that I should do so, where it shall be and at your own house (as she talked of the State House) I send this note to you, to ask information - I am Sir\nYour Obedient Serv t\nMonday 9 th Ap r 1796.\nGeo h Washington\nIn looking over my papers to find one that had the signature of Geo. Washington, I found this asking me when he should sit for his portrait, which is now owned by Samuel Williams of London, I have thought it proper it should be his especially as he owns the only original painting I ever made of Washington except one I own myself. I painted a third but cut it out. I now present to this Brother Timothy Williams for Samuel - Boston 9 th Day March 1823.\n[Handwritten signature]\nAttest J. A. Davis W. Dutton L. Baldwin\nMr Stuart painted in winter season his portrait of Washington, but destroyed it. The next portrait was of one now owned by S. Williams; the third Mr S. now has - two only remain as above stated. W"
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