After Gilbert Stuart (English-American, 1755-1828), Portrait of George Washington

Oil on panel, early 20th century, unsigned, a typed label affixed to the verso reads "WASHINGTON, George. A SPLENDID PORTRAIT IN OILS / AFTER THE FAMOUS STUART-VAUGHN PORTRAIT OF WASHINGTON / OWNED BY THE LATE THOMAS B. CLARKE. This portrait was / copied directly from the original portrait at Mr. / Clarke's orders.," presented in a giltwood frame with gallery plaque reading "George Washington, After Stuart Vaughn / Commissioned by Thomas Clark, National Gallery / Presented by H. Coleman & May Sallee."

Board 18 1/2 x 15 in.; Frame dimensions 24 x 20 1/2 in.

Deaccessioned from Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge
Acquired from the above

Thomas Benedict Clarke (1848-1931) was a prominent collector and influential champion of American art. In 1888, he opened a gallery on Fifth Avenue in New York specializing in Chinese and Japanese ceramics, Greek vases, and the decorative arts of Asia and the Middle East. Although Clarke actively collected and promoted contemporary American artists, he dispersed much of his collection in 1899 as his interests increasingly turned toward early American portraiture and furniture. At the time of his death, his collection included 29 portraits by Gilbert Stuart and approximately 175 paintings by 77 artists.

Among Clarke's most significant acquisitions was Gilbert Stuart's celebrated Vaughan Portrait of George Washington, which he purchased in 1912. Following Clarke's death, the portrait was offered with his collection through M. Knoedler & Co. in New York and acquired by the A. W. Mellon Educational and Charitable Trust. In 1942, the Trust presented the painting to the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., where it remains in the collection today.

Minor nicking and rubbing to frame; minor spot retouch visible under UV light.