George Washington eye color

George Washington had striking blue-gray eyes that were a notable feature of his appearance (source, Archives.gov). As one of America's most recognizable historical figures, his eye color has been documented in various historical records and portraits, including the detailed work of Swedish painter Adolf Ulrik Wertmüller, who captured Washington's direct gaze with remarkable detail (Mount Vernon).

Physical Description

Standing at 6 feet 3 inches tall, Washington's blue-gray eyes were set in cavernous sockets, contributing to his commanding presence (Archives.gov). In Wertmüller's portrait, his eyes were painted with enlarged pupils that hovered above the center, featuring white areas suggesting reflection, creating a direct and engaging gaze (Mount Vernon).

Historical Context

Washington's blue-gray eyes were part of a fascinating historical pattern among U.S. presidents. Remarkably, 26 of the first 39 American presidents had blue eyes, making it the most common eye color among U.S. presidents (Chicago Tribune). This statistic is particularly interesting given that blue eyes are not the most common eye color in the general population.

Artistic Representation

Artists who painted Washington's portrait paid particular attention to his eyes. In Wertmüller's work, the eyes were carefully rendered to convey vitality and presence, with the artist using various techniques to capture their distinctive color and intensity (Mount Vernon). The portrait shows Washington's eyes with a direct gaze that was unusual for paintings of that period, helping to convey his strong personality and leadership qualities.