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George Washington towered over most men of the time. Standing about 6 feet, 3 inches tall, with long arms and legs, huge hands and feet, and pale blue eyes, Washington attracted notice. When young, his hair was reddish brown, but it lightened as he aged. As a young man he was strong and athletic looking, weighing about 175 pounds. Later in life, he weighed closer to 200 pounds. Portraits of the 18th century captured a personality on canvas, much as photographs do today. Both the artist and the photographer try to show the real person through their art. But it is easier for a painter to hide flaws or alter unattractive features than a photographer. The Lansdowne portrait is considered quite realistic, but there are some things the portrait does NOT show about George Washington:
- His face was scarred from smallpox (especially his nose)
- He had a strong "Roman" nose
- Already in his 60s, GW had wrinkles in his skin and a bit of a stomach paunch
- He was wearing ill-fitting dentures that may have distorted his face
- He wore eyeglasses for reading
If you compare this portrait to portraits of other important people during the
same time period, you'll see some very serious faces. Most people did not smile
for portraits the way we often are told to "smile" when we have our pictures taken.
Portraits were a way to show status and dignity, and to communicate character.
People valued a dignified, formal manner, especially in their President. Look
carefully at the Lansdowne
portrait. Identify 3 things the portrait tells us about President Washington:
1. ____________________________________________________________
2. ____________________________________________________________
3. ____________________________________________________________
Compare this portrait with two others of Washington (you can find them in this paper!).
Do you notice any similarities?_____________________________________________________
Any differences?_____________________________________________________
- He came from a blended family, having two older stepbrothers and one stepsister?
- He was actually born February 11, not February 22? England changed its calendar when he was a boy, causing his birthdate to become February 22.
- His father died when he was 11 years old?
- He often had a bad temper but slowly learned to control it?
- He loved horseback riding, dancing, and farming?
- He was not always a good student?
- He did not always get along very well with his mother, who was bossy and controlling?
- His older half-brother Lawrence was one of the most important people in young
George's life?
- He had two stepchildren, but no children of his own?
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