"Since this nation's founding, the first ladies of the United States have been shaping the landscape of America history and culture. This richly illustrated catalogue, published to coincide with the National Portrait Gallery's exhibition Every Eye is Upon Me: First Ladies of the United States, serves as a handbook for the museum's collection of first ladies' portraits. Exploring the achievements and stories of these remarkable women through representation, we come to see how much has evolved since Martha Washington stepped into the position in 1780"--Front cover flap.