The Painter and the President

Gilbert Stuart's Brush with George Washington

Illustrated by Stacy Innerst
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Hardcover
$18.99 US
On sale Aug 27, 2024 | 40 Pages | 9781662680007

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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.

Kirkus Reviews, starred review
Publishers Weekly, starred review
Booklist, starred review


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 timeit’s the one that’s used on the one-dollar bill.

A great read for President's Day!
Sarah Albee is the New York Times bestselling author of more than 150 books for children (some under pseudonyms). Her titles include Troublemakers in Trousers: Women and What They Wore to Get Things Done, which was named a New York Public Library Best Children’s Book and a Bank Street Best Children’s Book, Jane Goodall: A Champion of Chimpanzees, also named a Bank Street Best Children’s Book, and Accidental Archaeologists: True Stories of Unexpected Discoveries, which won the Connecticut Book Award. She lives in Connecticut and Brooklyn with her husband and three children. Visit sarahalbeebooks.com. View titles by Sarah Albee
© Michael Santiago
Painter and educator Stacy Innerst is the illustrator of The Book Rescuer, winner of the Sydney Taylor Award; Ruth Bader Ginsburg: The Case of RBG vs. Inequality, which received the New York Times/NYPL Best Illustrated Children's Books Award; and The Music in George’s Head, which received the SCBWI Golden Kite Award for Picture Book Illustration. His most recent Calkins Creek books include The Painter and the President, Joan Mitchell Paints a Symphony, What Louis Brandeis Knows, Piece by Piece, and My Word, Theodore!. He lives in Pittsburgh, PA. Visit stacyinnerst.com View titles by Stacy Innerst

About

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.

Kirkus Reviews, starred review
Publishers Weekly, starred review
Booklist, starred review


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 timeit’s the one that’s used on the one-dollar bill.

A great read for President's Day!

Author

Sarah Albee is the New York Times bestselling author of more than 150 books for children (some under pseudonyms). Her titles include Troublemakers in Trousers: Women and What They Wore to Get Things Done, which was named a New York Public Library Best Children’s Book and a Bank Street Best Children’s Book, Jane Goodall: A Champion of Chimpanzees, also named a Bank Street Best Children’s Book, and Accidental Archaeologists: True Stories of Unexpected Discoveries, which won the Connecticut Book Award. She lives in Connecticut and Brooklyn with her husband and three children. Visit sarahalbeebooks.com. View titles by Sarah Albee
© Michael Santiago
Painter and educator Stacy Innerst is the illustrator of The Book Rescuer, winner of the Sydney Taylor Award; Ruth Bader Ginsburg: The Case of RBG vs. Inequality, which received the New York Times/NYPL Best Illustrated Children's Books Award; and The Music in George’s Head, which received the SCBWI Golden Kite Award for Picture Book Illustration. His most recent Calkins Creek books include The Painter and the President, Joan Mitchell Paints a Symphony, What Louis Brandeis Knows, Piece by Piece, and My Word, Theodore!. He lives in Pittsburgh, PA. Visit stacyinnerst.com View titles by Stacy Innerst

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