The Hidden Secrets in This George Washington Letter
Adam Savage’s Tested
Aug 20, 2026 14:00
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In 1796 George Washington wrote a letter to artist Gilbert Stuart confirming an appointment that resulted in one of the most iconic images of the first U.S. president: The Lansdowne Portrait. @nationalportraitgallery's head of conservation and paper conservation Im Chan walks Adam Savage through the many elements of the letter that reveals SO MUCH about its author.
National Portrait Gallery: https://npg.si.edu/
Portrait details: https://npg.si.edu/object/npg_NPG.2001.13
Letter details: https://npg.si.edu/object/npg_AD_NPG.2022.2
The Hidden Secret Behind George Washington's Portrait! https://youtu.be/OUGjZEeo_v0
What UV Light Revealed in This 200-Year-Old Painting: https://youtu.be/0sY2rGTwnNQ
How National Portrait Gallery Preserves Early Photography: https://youtu.be/YwleAccQTLk
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Video about the letter: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DLsK5zPgKMN/
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