George Washington Portrait to be Auctioned by Christie’s
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(New York, 2025-12-21) – A portrait of George washington, serving as the inspiration for the current american one-dollar bill, will be auctioned by Christie’s in January 2026.
The oil painting, completed in 1804 by Gilbert Stuart and originally commissioned by James Madison, is expected to fetch between $500,000 and $1,000,000 at auction.
Did you know?– Gilbert Stuart painted over 130 portraits of george Washington, though this particular “Tipo Ateneo” version is considered one of the most recognizable and influential.
- Christie’s will auction a portrait of George Washington on January 23, 2026, in new York.
- The painting, created by Gilbert Stuart in 1804, inspired the image on the U.S. one-dollar bill.
- Clarkson University, the current owner, intends to use the proceeds to finance institutional costs.
The auction house announced that the portrait, titled “George Washington (Tipo Ateneo),” will be offered for sale on Friday, january 23, 2026, in New York. Christie’s described the painting as depicting Washington “looking at the viewer realistically” while wearing period attire, including a white shirt and black coat.
Background and Context
George Washington, the first president of the united States, remains a central figure in American history, and his image is widely recognized globally. James Madison, who later served as the fourth president, commissioned the portrait while serving as Secretary of State under Thomas Jefferson, motivated by his personal admiration for washington.
the painting has a documented history, having been donated to Clarkson University in 1951 by Robert Livingston Clarkson. The university has now decided to sell the artwork to coincide with the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence and to raise funds for the institution, according to Christie’s.
pro tip– Provenance, or the documented history of ownership, is crucial for establishing the authenticity and value of artwork. christie’s thorough research adds to this painting’s appeal.
Prior to it’s donation to Clarkson University, the portrait was sold at auction in 1851 for $300 to william Henry Aspinwall, a New York businessman and art collector. It later passed through the hands of several other collectors,including Samuel P. Avery Jr., Marsden J.Perry, and James W.Ellsworth.
Christie’s conducted a study to verify the painting’s provenance, tracing its history from its completion in 1804 through its various owners and eventual donation to Clarkson University. The image from this portrait served as the basis for the design of the current one-dollar bill in 1963.
Why It Matters
The sale of this iconic portrait offers a rare opportunity to acquire a piece of American history directly linked to the nation’s founding.Beyond its artistic and historical importance, the auction highlights the financial pressures faced by educational institutions and their increasing
Reader question– Do you think institutions should be allowed to sell historically notable items to address financial needs? What are the potential benefits and drawbacks?
Why: Clarkson University, facing financial pressures, decided to sell the portrait to raise funds for institutional costs, coinciding with the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence.
Who: The key players are Gilbert Stuart (the artist), James Madison (the original commissioner), Clarkson University (
