About This Stamp
This stamp features a portrait of George Washington by Gilbert Stuart (1755–1828), one of the most celebrated American painters of his era. Over the course of a long career, Stuart created hundreds of portraits of prominent men and women — including several presidents of the United States — but he is perhaps best known for his portraits of George Washington (1732-1799), the nation’s first president.
In 1795, Stuart painted the first of three Washington portraits he did from life: a view of the president facing to his left (the right side of the face is visible). In 1796, the artist painted Washington facing in the opposite direction; this is the view seen on the stamp. That same year Stuart also produced a full-length portrait of the president. During the months and years that followed, he was commissioned to paint numerous copies of the three portraits.
Today, Stuart’s paintings of George Washington can be found in the White House, on Capitol Hill, and in several public and private art collections. Photographs, engravings, and other reproductions of the portraits — as well as likenesses based on or inspired by Stuart’s paintings — may be seen in countless classrooms and on souvenirs, postage stamps, and one-dollar bills.
Gilbert Stuart (American, 1755–1828), George Washington, after 1796, Oil on canvas, The Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute, Williamstown, MA, 195516
Stamp Art Director, Stamp Designer
Derry Noyes
For more than 40 years Derry Noyes has designed and provided art direction for close to 800 United States postage stamps and stamp products. She holds a bachelor of arts degree from Hampshire College and a master of fine arts degree from Yale University.
Noyes worked as a graphics designer at Beveridge and Associates, a Washington, D.C., firm, until 1979 when she established her own design firm, Derry Noyes Graphics. Her clients have included museums, corporations, foundations, and architectural and educational institutions. Her work has been honored by American Illustration, the Art Directors Club of Metropolitan Washington, Communication Arts, Critique magazine, Graphis, Creativity International, and the Society of Illustrators.
Before becoming an art director for the U.S. Postal Service, she served as a member of the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee from 1981 to 1983.
Noyes is a resident of Washington, D.C.