George Washington Portrait fetches $8+Million

Reuters - a non-judgemental 'news' 'group' of 'people' ^ | 11-30-05 | Reuters, a 'News' Organization

[keithtoo]

NEW YORK (Reuters) - A portrait of George Washington by Gilbert Stuart sold for $8.136 million on Wednesday to an anonymous bidder at Sotheby's in New York, a record for a U.S. artist at auction, the auction house said.

The price was below the $10 million to $15 million pre-sale estimate. A second portrait of Washington failed to sell, a Sotheby's spokesman said.

The portraits on sale on Wednesday were among a group of works being sold by the New York Public Library to raise money for books and other materials.

Stuart is known for his portraits of the first U.S. president, one of which hangs in the East Room of the White House. An unfinished Stuart portrait of Washington appears on the $1 bill.

[keithtoo]

That's a lot of dough for a stylized portrait of our founding daddy-O.

[dakine]

A lot of Benjamins....

[SamAdams76]

[Texas_Jarhead]

The library probably selling a painting of our first president in order to buy more queer books for children.

[apackof2]

Or some modern "art" by the latest fascist darling of the liberals that G. Soros would pay 15 million for

[keithtoo]

That is true. A picture of George W soaked in urine would have much more artistic merit.

Or of George W kissing another man. Wouldn't that be avante garde?

[gas0linealley]

George Washington: "Let me see the money."

[Republicanprofessor]

Art ping.

Let Sam Cree or me know if you want on or off this ping list.

[Lancey Howard]

Our greatest President.

[Lancey Howard]

Our greatest President.

[Republicanprofessor]

My guess is that the portrait that sold was more of a half-length image, like this one:

Still a nice image. Interesting that it was so much below the estimate. $8 million seems like enough to me.

[Southack]

Jack Warner here in Alabama has one of Stuart's painting of President Washington, I believe.

[Sam Cree]

American Artist recently did an article on one of the early American portrait painters, but I can't remember if it was this guy. Looks like I stupidly threw it out in a fit of cleaning up.

[Mila]

Here it is. I think this is the one that sold.

[mewzilla]

The portraits on sale on Wednesday were among a group of works being sold by the New York Public Library to raise money for books and other materials.

You mean all those limosine libs in the Big Apple won't cough up the bucks to keep their library system from having to sell off its treasures?!

Hypocrites!

[Battle Hymn of the Republic]

that would be a great painting to have on the wall...

[thefactor]

GW ping...

[Pharmboy]

My favorite---a slightly smug General after victories at Trenton and Princeton. By Charles Wilson Peale, now hangs at the faculty club at Princeton.

[keithtoo]

It really is curious. Georgie-boy was kinda bulbous. Not exactly the broad-shouldered, thick-legged, 90's kinda dude.,
He had the whole world at his command and yet he retreated to his Virginia plantation.

A trupy noble dude.

[Pharmboy]

He was not broad shouldered. He was described as having full hips and legs--very strong on the bottom. He also had large hands and feet and was about 6'2" or 6'3"...and a great athlete. If he grew up in Virginia nowadays, he likely would have been All-State Quarterback.

It was said that when he was in his teens, he was the best horseman in Virginia.

And please do not refer to The General as you have. Thanks.