The Painter and the President: Gilbert Stuart's Brush with George Washington

George Washington and artist Gilbert Stuart didn't always see eye-to-eye, but both men knew the importance of legacy and the power of art. Though George disliked having his portrait painted--which took days and days to complete--he knew his place in history would require people to know his face. Fortunately, Gilbert Stuart's unique way of painting didn't compel his subjects to sit for hours on end--in fact, he encouraged them to move around and even bring friends to chat with. Capturing the soul of each subject, his portraits were unlike any other artists'. And Gilbert Stuart's one-of-a-kind portrait of Washington stands the test of time--it's the one that's used on the one-dollar bill.