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

by Sarah Albee, Stacy Innerst (illustrator)

George Washington hated having his portrait painted, but as president of the United States, he knew his image needed to live on. This nonfiction picture book explores how artist Gilbert Stuart created Washington’s most lasting and recognized portrait—the one that’s used on the one-dollar bill.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.

Genres: Picture Books, Biography, Art, Nonfiction, History, American History, Childrens

40 pages, Hardcover

Published August 27, 2024

Reviews

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book about George Washington, portraits, and the last one who painted him.
Good historical notes and timeline at the back!

[June Price · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew I was going to like this book as soon as I turned to the opening pages and say the illustrator's drawing of Washington looking like he'd rather be just about anywhere rather sitting in that artist's studio. As it turned out, my reaction was right. He'd have rather been out riding than sitting in that chair. In fact, this was his second brush with artist Stuart and he hadn't enjoyed the first, either. But, like Stuart, he did understand the power of art.

And, so the sitting began. Stuart, known for his easy manner, after a shaky first session, eventually found ways to relax his subject. That worked and eventually we got the painting we're now familiar with on our dollar bills. The book explains why that rendering is facing the opposite direction, not to mention that Gilbert Stuart would go on to paint the next five presidents, too. The illustrations are fun and I liked the illustrator's interpretation of Stuart's style and colors. One of the things I found most interesting, one that added a great deal of information, was the timeline included at the end that combined Stuart and Washington's lives into one timeline, showing where each was at different times in their lives. The author also includes a solid list of selected books for more information and source notes.

Bottom line, an interesting, fun read that reveals a side of George Washington few know. I liked learning a bit about his human side, so to speak, as opposed to the engraved image his time with Stuart would produce. Teachers, in particular, should find this a welcome addition to their history shelves and, for that matter, those with an interest in art history should enjoy it, too. You do learn about Stuart as a human, too, not just as an artist. Thanks #NetGalley and #AstraPublishingHouse - #CalkinsCreek for introducing me to both of these men (and Martha) as real people, not just names in a history book.

[Whitney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks Astra Kids Books for a finished copy of this title! 💛

𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘗𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘗𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘵 paints the most sidesplitting story of George Washington and the man whose brush strokes created an image we now see on the American dollar bill. Who knew 64-year-old George Washington was such a grump who loathe sitting still for his own portrait? Try as he might, Gilbert Stuart simply couldn’t get old man Washington to smile. Despite clashing personalities and several setbacks, the painter did eventually procure a portrait of the president that endures to this day. My favorite part was the illustration and tidbits on Martha Washington. She was essentially the main person responsible for this comical set up.

The illustrations have a quality to them that reminds me much of children’s cut and paste collages; it is unique, fresh, and immensely entertaining to my tired eyes. The tone of this book was light and humorous, it had made learning something new stick and easy to recall later - literally unforgettable. I also appreciated the timeline and bibliography references at the end which is resourceful and great for additional research.

I can’t say enough good things about it and would highly recommend this book for young readers. It’s a great way to introduce and engage little minds into the world of biographical nonfiction and renown art. I’m giving this one all the stars.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the picture books that are coming out these days, that give delightful stories of people that we should know about, but don’t. This one is about the famous painting on the one dollar American bill. You probably have seen it, and not thought much more about it than identifying it for what it is.

But apparently Gilbert Stuart was quite famous in his day. He not only painted the famous portrait of Washington, but all five other American presidents as well.

Apparently George Washington would have preferred to not be painted, and Gilbert did everything he could do to relax him, and found that if he talked about horses, that would make Washington relax.

He left the painting unfinished, and then made copies that he sold, to make a living. Unfortunately, he was not good with his money, when he died his wife couldn't even afford a headstone for him, so he was buried in an unmarked grave.

With great pictures, and humor, this is a wonderful picture book to introduce not only the personality of Gilbert, but also how things were done, a little over 200 years ago.

Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review. This book will be published on the 27th of August 2024.

[Katie Furze · Rating 5 out of 5]

This quirky and humorous insight into the relationship between George Washington and his portrait painter, Gilbert Stuart, invites young readers to think about a small slice of history in new ways. The chatty, informal tone of the text transports readers back to 1796, before the invention of photographs, when portraits were an important record for future generations. The illustrations include original portraits of the characters, making them a little odd to look at, and so perfectly suit the words. The book includes fascinating backmatter that further explores the work of Gilbert Stuart, a timeline with details of the lives of both men, explanation of topics touched on in the story and a bibliography.

[Emma Filbrun · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes I feel like I must sound like a broken record when I talk about picture book biographies. I love these books! They were not available when I was young, but I started noticing them in the library as I became an adult. Now, I read them to my children frequently. I love the way they can share obscure bits of history in an engaging way, and The Painter and the President is a great example of this. From this book we learned that George Washington did not like to have his picture painted, but that Gilbert Stuart found a way to engage him and make the experience almost fun. We learned many other things, too—this was a fun book to read!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley, and these are my honest thoughts about it.

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a story of the interactions between a famous portrait artist and our first American President. At first the illustrations did not appeal to me, but as I read more there is a sort of time connection that makes it feel right. Though not a full on biography of either man, this book captures connections well and offers so much historical insight into both men and their strengths. The connections to the modern day will engage some students well, i.e. a self portrait is a selfie and why our dollar bills have a reverse image of the famous painting that Stuart did.

Worthwhile addition to a collection, especially if your school has a bit of background of the early days of our country and what life was like then.

[Katie Hutchison Irion · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Painter and The President: Gilbert Stuart’s Brush with George Washington by Sarah Albee and Stacy Innerst is a nonfiction book for a slightly older child. I found the book to be quite interesting and engaging and my 8-year-old son also read it and was able to ask me questions about it afterwards. The book is about one of the last portraits that George Washington sat for while he was president. The book gives insight into the painter, Gilbert Stuart, and his unconventional ways to get people to look more relaxed while he painted them. Washington was not thrilled about getting another portrait painted but at the urging of his wife, he finally agreed and this last painting, by Stuart, is probably the most famous. Especially considering it is the one used for the one-dollar bill!

[Alexis Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a homeschool mom, this book has everything that I look for to complement the curriculum I use and keep my child engaged. My 1st grader is learning all about George Washington and this book does such a great job at showing the historical parts of his life (Mt. Vernon, Valley Forge), but also the human parts like his apprehension at having his portrait drawn, problems with his teeth, etc. My daughter was fascinated. The illustrations are fun and beautiful combining history with today. I hope to see more from this author.
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this title.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun and interesting read about the artist Gilbert Stuart, who painted George Washington's famous portrait. I really enjoyed learning about Gilbert Stuart and his ways of painting his subjects. I love learning about new-to-me people, and I found it interesting to learn about someone who was instrumental in making history. At the back of the book, you can find a timeline of Gilbert Stuart and George Washington, as well as a list of other presidents that Stuart painted and a bibliography. Overall, this was a great read, and the illustrations were awesome.

*Thank you, NetGalley, for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.*

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Astra Publishing for an ARC of this picture book. This is a wonderful story of Gilbert Stuart, George Washington, and a portrait. Told with beautiful illustrations, primary source artwork, and easy to understand text this picture book is a great way to introduce readers to the power of art and portraits. Sarah Albee includes definitions of words and adds historical context in a concise way that does not take away from the flow of the story. I also love the timeline, historical notes, bibliography, and source notes included at the end of the book. This would be a perfect read aloud for students in any classroom.

[Panda Incognito · Rating 4 out of 5]

This nonfiction picture book teaches kids about Gilbert Stuart's career as an artist and his experiences with George Washington, who hated to have his portrait painted. The text is lively and entertaining without being sarcastic or disrespectful, and even though I thought that the illustrations were a bit drab at first, they fit well with the story and also convey humor. This book shares a snippet of American history in a way that will appeal to both kids and adults, and this would be a great supplement to a school study on George Washington.

I received a temporary digital copy from NetGalley, and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Leslie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Painter and the President: Gilbert Stuart's Brush with George Washington by Sarah Albee is very interesting, yet sad tale of the man who painted one of the most famous paintings of George Washington. I think The Painter and the President: Gilbert Stuart's Brush with George Washington would be neat for young kids to read while learning about George Washington. I thought it was cool to learn about Gilbert Stuart, but just sad given how his life turned out. At the same time, it's a story that we need to know about. Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read this book. My review is also on Goodreads.

[Nora Nickum · Rating 5 out of 5]

With concise text peppered with relatable references to things kids will know today, like selfies (self-portraits), Albee gives readers a glimpse into George Washington's personality as well as what it was like to live at a time before photography, when a painter like Stuart performed both an artistic craft and recorded important people and times for future generations. Innerst's illustrations are a lively accompaniment. And don't miss the note in the back matter about George Washington's tooth troubles.

[John Mullarkey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This a unique and very interesting picture book by Sarah Albee that tells the story of one of the most popular portraits of Georhe Washington painted by Gilbert Stuart. It is also an enlightening and candid look at the relationship between a painter and his subjects. The artwork by Stacy Innerst combines both Stuart's portrait work as well as a sense of personality and humor. It is a fun read aloud and one that can used as an informational lesson as well. The ample back matter is very interesting and adds to the narrative.

[Debra Shumaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fascinating book about a small, but important moment, in George Washington's life—the painting of his portrait that ends up on the dollar bill. With lighthearted text and fun art, this nonfiction picture book gives readers a window into the late 1700s and the personality of both President Washington and the painter, Gilbert Stuart. I love learning about little known history so this book was a treat.

[Jon Nakapalau · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story of George Washington and artist Gilbert Stuart. Stuart created the most lasting and recognized portrait of Washington (the on the one-dollar bill). The two did not hit it off right away; Washington did not like to sit for portraits and found conversation with Stuart not to his liking. Then Stuart noticed Washington looking at horses outside the window – and found a subject that Washington liked to talk about! A fun book that teaches young children an important lesson.

[Crissi Brandhuber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not just a book about the president, George Washington, but also about the painter, Gilbert Stuart. Two unlikely people who are forced together thanks to Martha! A true story about a painter who needs money and a president who refuses to sit for a portrait. The illustrations are fabulous, as there is a kind of collage to some of the people. This is a great book, and I can’t wait to add it to my school library collection.

[Lisa Varchol Varchol · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fascinating picture book about painter Gilbert Stuart and the origins of the famous image of George Washington seen on the one-dollar bill. It's peppered with quotes and fun facts. (Kids will especially enjoy reading about why Washington's cheeks appear puffy!) Thoroughly researched back matter includes a timeline and additional information for readers eager learn more.

[Vicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to admit that I never gave much thought to the painters of presidents’ portraits, so I’m glad I checked this out and learned about Gilbert Stuart! With unique illustrations and a wonderful sense of humor, this book tells the story of how Stuart achieved his most famous artworks — and how ornery George Washington *finally* had a portrait done that he was pleased with.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing me with a free digital copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Melki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Washington was reluctant to have his portrait painted, and Gilbert Stuart had to work had to get a good likeness. That's really all there is to the story, but the unusual illustrations by Stacy Innerst add some interest. Probably a good read for history buffs, or anyone curious about the portrait used on the dollar bill.

Thanks to NetGalley and Calkins Creek for the read.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun and fascinating story of Gilbert Stuart's portrait of the reluctant George Washington. Back matter includes more information on Stuart, Washington and his dental issues, plus a timeline.

I knew very little about Gilbert Stuart, other than his famous portraits, and this revealed quite a lot about this very flawed artist.

Terrific illustrations!!!

[Tara Thieleke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute story that gives the reader in idea about Gilbert Stuart’s personality, his portrait painting process, the challenges of painting portraits before the invention of photography, and George Washington’s aversion to sitting still for portraits. It has a charming eclectic mix of illustration styles and some fun quotes. Entertaining for adults.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nonfiction picture book about the iconic portrait of George Washington that is used on the one dollar bill. Albee's gently humorous informative text and illustrations work well in describing the men and bringing them to life. Don't miss the additional information at the back! A fascinating slice of history!

[Mary Canupp · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book! It was short and simple words, but it remained engaging and funny to read. The illustrations were abstract and went very well with the story. This would be a great book to read to younger kids on the week leading up to president's day, because it has a lot of humor and can be very engaging to your students.

[Beth Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful glimpse into a tiny piece of history that reveals the times and the characters of George Washington and Gilbert Stuart. The parenthetical bits add to the author’s distinct voice and relate the past to the present. Engaging art and text make this book a true treasure!

[Alyssa Mohring · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this picture book. It is a very good way to learn about the painter behind the portrait of George Washington. You also learn how this picture came to be. I think Gilbert Staurt deserves more credit than he had gotten. The illustrations were beautiful. The writing is perfect for children seven to ten years old. It will hold their interest. It is also easy to read. I love the history timeline at the end of the book. Children can now learn without being bored.

[Jaimee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great portrait presidential book for kindergarten to about second grade. It goes introduces the complexity of portraiture and a little bit into the life of a historical artist and his famous subjects.

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

This title was just so so for me, as I didn’t enjoy the illustrations nor did I learn much about the life/work of Gilbert Stuart. Illustrations were done in acrylic, pencil, and digital, perhaps it was the digital aspect that was not appealing. The outstanding thing was the double page illustration of the various portraits of George Washington done by various artists throughout his lifetime.

A bibliography on Stuart is included as well as a timeline interspersing events in Washington’s and Stuart’s lives.

[Maggie · Rating 3 out of 5]

American History + Art History