To reinterpret Gilbert Stuart’s 1796 portrait of George Washington, I simplified everything, yet made many details more intricate. With his dark suit jacket, I rendered flourishes of curved lines that jutted out from the middle to either side. I used a variation of blues and black for his jacket as well. The exaggerated details brought movement and contrast to the composition. These treatments juxtaposed the mostly lineal details of the backdrop which I painted in mostly green hues. With all these flourishes and simplifications, Washington’s portrait still emanates a regal sense of reverence.
