Igor V. Babailov, Hon.RAA, KStA

Recent Official Portraits

George Washington

First President of the United States of America

New Portrait

"My Beloved Country!" ~ George Washington

(28" x 22", Oil on Canvas)

Original Portrait Concept & Composition by Igor V. Babailov

"We will take great pride in displaying your work for generations to come!"

~ James C. Rees

Executive Director, George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate and Museum, Mount Vernon, Virginia

George Washington likeness - Houdon - Babailov, Creation of the Portrait of Washington, by Igor Babailov, Mount Vernon Museum, Mount Vernon, VA.

Igor Babailov used his mastery and professional expertise to transform this sculpted and most accurate likeness of George Washington into a realistic portrait painting.

This NEW Portrait of George Washington was created by Igor Babailov, following his extensive historical research on the true likeness of George Washington. Consequently, this portrait painting was inspired by and based on Washington's likeness captured by the great French sculptor, Jean-Antoine Houdon (1741-1828) in George Washington's official statue, located at the State Capitol in Richmond, Virginia. Babailov's research also included Houdon's preliminary sculpture studies, such as Washington's bust and life mask which the sculptor did from life at Mount Vernon in 1785.

When George Washington saw the sculpture, he said, "It is right that people in later generations could see my exact likeness," his friend Gen. Lafayette exclaimed, "That is the man himself!" and even Washington's portrait painter, Gilbert Stuart, agreed, "Houdon's bust comes first, and my head of him [Athenaeum portrait] next."

Today, Houdon's sculpture is recognized by historians, as the most accurate likeness ever created of the First President.