Mrs. Washington

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DatePublished March 26, 1782

After Benjamin Blyth (American, 1746 - 1786)

Engraver John Norman (English-American, 1748 - 1817)

Publisher John Coles Jr. (American, active c.1780 - 1800)

Subject Martha Washington (American, 1731 - 1802)

Geography Made - United States

Medium/TechniqueInk on paper; hand-colored engraving, stipple engraving.

DimensionsOverall (H x W): 14 3/16 in. × 10 in. (36.04 cm × 25.4 cm) Other (Sheet H x W): 13 1/16 in. × 9 3/4 in. (33.18 cm × 24.77 cm) Other (Image H x W): 11 1/4 in. × 9 in. (28.58 cm × 22.86 cm)

Credit LineGift of Mrs. Augustine Jaquelin Todd, Vice Regent for West Virginia, 1968

Object numberPrint-5076/RP-110

DescriptionOval portrait of Martha Washington, set against a brown background. She is depicted wearing a pink gown, a blue shawl with white lace on it, and an elaborate cap with pink ribbon and lace. The portrait is set in a trompe l'oeil brown oval frame, which appears to be hanging from a ring at the top of the image. Draped at the top of the image hanging from two bows on either side of the frame is a garland of leaves with red ribbon laced through it. Below and to either side of the portrait are festoons of flowers hanging from ribbons. At the bottom of the portrait is a trompe l'oeil marble pedestal on which the portrait frame rests.
March 26, 1782

MarkingsPrinted below image on left in block script: "B. Blyth del.". Printed below image on right in block script: "J. Norman Sculp.". Printed below image centered in block script: "Mrs. Washington. / Published by John Coles, Boston, March 26, 1782".

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