FROM the special viewpoint of portrait painters, which might be defined as hungry-eyed, U.S. Presidents in general have shown one serious weakness: they dislike extended portrait sittings. And by the same token artists are apt to strike Presidents as being somewhat heedless of time and the proprieties. The classic case of this mutual difficulty came early in the nation's history, when Gilbert Stuart first set George Washington on canvas. "Now, sir," Stuart cheerily began as he took up his brush, "you must let me forget that you are General Washington and that I am Stuart the painter!" The President's bone-chilling rejoinder:...
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