Washington in the Uniform of a British Colonial Colonel was painted by Charles Willson Peale in 1772, marking the earliest authenticated portrait of George Washington. The work depicts Washington wearing the distinctive red and blue uniform of a colonel in the Virginia Regiment, which he commanded during the French and Indian War. Created approximately twelve years after Washington’s military service in that conflict, the portrait predates his leadership role in the American Revolution and stands as a significant early representation of Washington by a prominent American artist. The composition shows Washington standing three-quarter length against a dark, wooded background, with a landscape visible to the left.

He is attired in a red waistcoat and breeches, a blue coat with silver trim, and a black tricorne hat. A sash crosses his chest, and he holds a musket at his side, while a gorget hangs at his neck, signifying his military rank. The lighting emphasizes his face and uniform, while the background recedes into shadow, focusing attention on Washington’s calm and resolute expression. This painting was donated to the Washington and Lee University in 1897 and remains in the Washington-Custis-Lee Collection in Lexington, Virginia.

As the earliest known portrait of Washington, it has been widely recognized for its historical importance and is often referenced in studies of both Washington’s iconography and early American portraiture. The work is frequently exhibited and reproduced as a key example of Peale’s early career and his role in shaping the visual legacy of George Washington.