The painter Gilbert Charles Stuart, who lived from 1755-1828, was most well known for his portraits of which person?

Gilbert Charles Stuart, a renowned American painter who lived from 1755 to 1828, is celebrated as one of the nation's foremost portraitists. His enduring legacy is inextricably linked to the iconic likenesses he created of a pivotal figure in American history. Stuart's skill in capturing the essence and character of his subjects made his work highly sought after, and he painted over a thousand individuals during his career, including the first six presidents of the United States.

Stuart is most recognized for his numerous portraits of George Washington. He produced three principal types of these portraits: the "Vaughan" (a bust facing right), the "Athenaeum" (a bust facing left), and the full-length "Lansdowne." The "Athenaeum" portrait, an unfinished work begun in 1796, is arguably his most famous, as it is the image that has graced the United States one-dollar bill for over a century. Stuart deliberately kept this original, using it as a model to paint scores of copies, which he sold to eager patrons and thus secured his financial stability.

His decision to return to the United States in 1793 was largely driven by the ambition to paint Washington, recognizing the immense demand for images of the revered leader. The "Lansdowne" portrait, a grand, full-length depiction, is rich with symbolism representing the new republic and the office of the presidency. Stuart's ability to imbue his portraits with a luminous quality and psychological depth solidified his place in American art history, making his depictions of George Washington the definitive visual representation for generations.