"George Washington"

Dateprobably 1800-1825

MediumWatercolor on wove paper

Dimensions7 1/2" x 6 1/8" (19.1 cm x 15.6 cm) unframed; Framed: 10 3/4" x 9 1/4" (27.3 cm x 23.5 cm)

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1957.300.1

DescriptionWatercolor portrait, bust length of George Washington, against a sky-blue background with fleecy white clouds in upper right corner and rays of white light coming from upper left corner. Bust facing slightly left, black coat, with row of buttons, ruffled white stock, white hair, blue eyes, large nose, thin mouth, black ribbon on ponytail.
Label TextThis amateurish watercolor likeness of America's first President was most likely copied from an early nine¬teenth-century printed image that might have been based on one of Charles Willson Peale's portraits of Washington. The deification of George Washington as a national figure is suggested by the surrounding clouds and rays of divine light from above. Other motifs frequently seen in Washington memorial images or apotheoses include palms, wreaths of laurel, the olive branch, flags, eagles, war emblems, the "Temple of Pa¬triotism;' and figures of America, Fame, Charity, For¬titude, and the Goddess of Liberty.
ProvenanceEdith Gregor Halpert, Downtown Gallery, New York, N.Y.