The artwork titled “George Washington (1732–1799), as Colonel Commander of the Virginian Colonial Troops,” was created by artist Charles Willson Peale in 1772. It belongs to the Rococo art movement and falls within the portrait genre.
The artwork portrays George Washington dressed in his uniform as a Colonel Commander of the Virginian Colonial Troops. He is depicted standing in a poised yet relaxed manner, with one hand on his hip and the other resting on a walking stick. Washington’s attire primarily consists of a rich red military uniform adorned with gold embroidery and accented with a tricorn hat. The background of the painting features a lush, serene landscape that fades into a distant, cloudy sky. The artist’s use of light and shadow accentuates the figure, emphasizing Washington’s composed and authoritative demeanor. The detailed brushwork and the harmonious color palette are characteristic of the Rococo style, lending the artwork an air of elegance and refinement.
