George Washington, founding father of the United States of America is, for one week only, to be replaced by murderer and master manipulator Frank Underwood in the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery.

The portrait of the first president, painted by Gilbert Stuart in 1796, will be removed from the DC gallery for conservation work next week, at the same time as the Underwood painting is unveiled ahead of House of Cards’ season 4 launch.

Kevin Spacey was there to see the 6ft square painting - created by British artist Jonathan Yeo - hung on Monday.

While Underwood will initially be situated among other new portraits near the gallery’s entrance, Yeo hopes he might one day make it near the prestigious “America’s Presidents” section. “That would be a lovely playful and interesting way of hanging it,” he said.

House of Cards, which centres on a scurrilous Democrat who will do anything to gain and maintain power, counts President Barack Obama among its fans.

Yeo said the portrait was designed to make visitors uncomfortable, with Spacey adding: “When it is hung at the right height you may wonder if I’m about to kick you in the face, which seems appropriate for this particular character.”

As for what Frank might make of the portrait, Spacey said: “If you compare it to what Frank spends a good amount of time doing, which is looking you directly in the eye and telling you exactly what he thinks, this is a pretty direct address, so I think he’d be pleased with it.”