General Washington
Label Text
This hand-colored English mezzotint depicts General Washington holding the Declaration of Independence and the American colonies' treaty with the French. Torn British proclamations litter the ground under Washington's feet. The man in the background likely represents William Lee, the enslaved valet who served Washington throughout the Revolutionary War. The figure is probably symbolic, not a literal depiction of Lee's appearance.
Read MoreRead Less
Date1785
After
Jean-Baptiste Le Paon
(French, 1736/1738 - 1785)
After
Charles Willson Peale
(American, 1741 - 1827)
Subject
George Washington
(American, 1732 - 1799)
Geography
Published -
England
Medium/TechniqueInk, watercolor, and gouache on paper; hand-colored mezzotint
DimensionsOverall (H x W): 14 1/2 in. × 10 5/8 in. (36.83 cm × 26.99 cm)
Credit LineGift of Mr. and Mrs. Stanley DeForest Scott, 2002
Object numberPrint-5344
DescriptionThis print is a full length portrait of George Washington in military uniform.Published ReferencesCharles Henry Hart, Catalogue of the Engraved Portraits of Washington, (New York: The Grolier Club, 1904).
William Spohn Baker, The Engraved Portraits of Washington, (Philadelphia: Lindsay & Baker, 1880).
MarkingsPrinted in ink below the bottom-left corner of the image: "Printed for & Sold by Carington Bowles".
Printed in ink below the bottom-right corner of the image: "No. 69 in St. Pauls Church Yard London.".
Printed in ink below the image, centered: "General Washington. / Published as the Act directs, 24 June 1785.".
Mount Vernon's object research is ongoing and information about this object is subject to change. For information on image use and reproductions, click here.
c. 1841-1859
1780-1790
c. 1859
After 1776