The author describes how Gilbert Stuart, deep in debt, returned from England in 1795 determined to mend his fortunes by painting George Washington. Although the artist was disappointed with the first portraits he produced, including the two Lansdowne versions commissioned by Senator Bingham, the public was enthusiastic. According to William Dunlap's Chronicle, <i>History ofthe Rise and Progress ofthe Arts of Design in the United States, Stuart disclaimed authorship of the White House version of the Lansdowne type,' declaring it to be a copy by a contem-porary painter, William Winstanley. Another opportunity to paint Wash ington produced the so-called Athenaeum portrait from which Stuart is said to have made at least 70 copies. See also <i>AATA 12-359. -- AATA