George Washington, Esqr.

Date1775

Formerly attributed to Alexander Campbell

Formerly attributed to C. Shephard

Possibly by Robert Sayer (1725-1794) & John Bennett (fl. 1760-1787)

OriginEngland, London

MediumMezzotint with line engraving on laid paper.

DimensionsOverall: 16 × 11 3/4in. (40.6 × 29.8cm)

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1934-30

DescriptionLower margin reads: "Done from an Original Drawn from the Life by Alex.r Campbell of Williamsburgh in Virginia./ GEORGE WASHINGTON, Esq.r/ GENERAL and COMMANDER in CHIEF of the CONTINENTAL ARMY in AMERICA./ Published as the Act Directs, 9 Sept.r 1775 by C. Shepherd./ 85."
Label TextThis print of George Washington is from of a series of portraits of officers in the American War published quickly in England to capitalize on current events. Although this portrait print is inscribed "Drawn from life by Alex.r Campbell of Williamsburg in Virginia," the identity of the artist is unknown. Washington wrote to Colonel Joseph Reed to thank him for sending him a copy of a print allegedly after Campbells work, nothing in January 1776 that, "Mr. Campbell whom I never saw to my knowledge, has made a very formidable figure of the Commander-in-Chief, giving him a sufficient portion of terror in his countenance." Alexander Campbell is assumed to be a fictitious name as is that of the engraver C. Shepherd.

There are several other prints bearing this inscription. See 1934-20, 1934-19, and 1951-79.

Provenance