This portrait miniature of George Washington was painted by renowned 19th century American miniaturist Benjamin Trott. It is a copy of Gilbert Stuart’s Athenaeum-type portraits. Like many other artists, he was deeply influenced by Stuart, and--with Stuart’s approval--made numerous miniatures after his portraits. This masterfully executed miniature makes clear why Stuart called Trott the “best and closest” of his imitators. Here, Trott has given Washington an expression of dignity but not severity, and avoided the appearance of discomfort in the mouth so common in many of the Stuart paintings. The clothing is also painted with notable prowess: the coat and waistcoat with dynamic vertical and diagonal strokes, the jabot with impressive detail and three-dimensionality.