In the context of Lansdowne portrait, discuss the Sittings of the Stuart.
According to Rembrandt Peale, President Washington granted a single joint sitting to Stuart and him "in the Autumn of 1795.": 88  Stuart was not wholly satisfied with the resulting head-and-bust portrait, but still painted between twelve and sixteen copies of it.: 135  Now known as the "Vaughan-style" portraits,: 88  the original of these is in the National Gallery of Art.While visiting London a decade earlier, Senator William Bingham of Pennsylvania and his wife, Anne Willing Bingham, had sat for a family portrait by Stuart (unlocated).: 198  The artist seems to have approached Mrs. Bingham for assistance in getting the President to grant him another sitting:: 91 Mr. Stuart, Chestnut Street.Sir— I am under promise to Mrs. Bingham to set for you to-morrow at nine o'clock, and wishing to know if it be convenient to you that should do so, whether it shall be at your own house (as she talked of the State House) I send this note to you to ask information.I am Sir, Yourobedient ServtGeo.WASHINGTON.Monday Evening, 11th Apr 1796.: 88–89 
According to Rembrandt Peale, this was the only sitting Washington granted for the Lansdowne portrait.: 168  It took place at Stuart's studio (and lodgings) in the William Moore Smith house, at the southeast corner of 5th & Chestnut Streets.: 168  With severely limited time, Stuart was forced to concentrate on the President's head and face.: 168  There are multiple claims as to who posed for the body of the figure, including his landlord, Smith.Stuart began the portrait in Philadelphia and completed it in Germantown, then some 8 miles (13 km) outside the city.: 130–31  To avoid distractions, the artist rented a Germantown house in Summer 1796 and set up a studio on the second floor of its stable.: 165–66  The Binghams had enjoyed Lord Lansdowne's hospitality in London, and persuaded Stuart to allow them to pay for the portrait.: 166, 168  Stuart completed the Lansdowne portrait by the fall of 1796, and Senator Bingham paid his fee of $1,000.: 170  Bingham had an ornate frame made for the portrait, and arranged for it to be shipped to England in late November. Lord Lansdowne had received the portrait by March 5, 1797, when he mentioned it in a letter.: 92  Lansdowne's letter of thanks to Mrs. Bingham survives, but is undated:A very fine portrait of the greatest man living in a magnificent frame found its way into my hall, with no one thing left for me to do regarding it, except to thank the amiable donor of it. It is universally approv'd and admir'd, and I see with satisfaction, that there is no one who does not turn away from every thing else, to pay their homage to General Washington. Among many circumstances which contribute to enhance the value of it, I shall always consider the quarter from whence it comes as most flattering, & I look forward with the greatest pleasure to the time of shewing you and Mr. Bingham where I have plac'd it.: 170
hat Lord Lansdowne National Gallery of Art England Rembrandt Peale Pennsylvania Germantown Senator London William Bingham Philadelphia left bust