George Washington Portrait, In Situ

This photograph of Gilbert Stuart's portrait of President George Washington in situ was taken on July 20, 2017 in the East Room of the White House. The portrait was installed in the White House in November 1800. During the War of 1812, First Lady Dolley Madison famously saved the portrait from near-certain demise. Before vacating the premises on August 24, 1814, Mrs. Madison ordered that official papers and the Washington portrait should be saved from British hands. The painting returned to the White House after it was rebuilt in 1817. The portrait has historically resided in the East Room, the largest room in the White House that often serves as a ceremonial space.