This full-length portrait of George Washington was painted by Gilbert Stuart in 1797, the final year of his presidency. While other artists had depicted Washington as a military leader, Stuart became the first portraitist to paint an authoritative image of Washington as the country's first president. Washington holds a sword in his left hand, alluding to his past military service, but appears in civilian clothes, emphasizing the fact that he had resigned his commission as a military leader. A book entitled “Constitution and Laws of the United States” (misspelled in the painting as “Sates”) leans against the table leg. The portrait was installed in the White House in November 1800. During the War of 1812, First Lady Dolley Madison instructed members of her staff to save the portrait from near-certain demise. Before vacating the premises on August 24, 1814, Mrs. Madison ordered that official papers, crimson velvet draperies from what is now the Blue Room, and the Washington portrait should be saved from British hands. The painting returned to the White House after it was rebuilt in 1817 and is currently on display in the East Room. Washington served as the Commander in Chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolution. The first president was in office from April 30, 1789, until March 4, 1797.