Mount Vernon in the Olden Time
Date1855
Engraver
H. S. Hall
Printer
H. Peters
(American, active c. 1855)
Publisher
W. H. Holbrooke
(American, active c. 1830 - 1860)
Subject
George Washington
(American, 1732 - 1799)
Subject
Martha Washington
(American, 1731 - 1802)
Subject
John Parke Custis
(American, 1754 - 1781)
Subject
Martha Parke Custis
(American, 1756 - 1773)
Geography
Published -
United States
Medium/TechniqueInk on paper; line and stipple engraving.
DimensionsImage (H x W): 18 7/8 in. × 24 3/8 in. (47.94 cm × 61.91 cm)
Plate (H x W): 23 3/4 in. x 29 3/8 in. (60.33 cm x 74.61 cm)
Overall (H x W): 23 3/4 in. × 29 3/4 in. (60.33 cm × 75.57 cm)
Credit LineGift of Mr. and Mrs. Stanley DeForest Scott, 1985
Object numberSC-180
DescriptionHistorical scene depicting members of the Mount Vernon household with George Washington having just returned from hunting. On the left sits a young George Washington dressed in a hunting outfit, while behind him stands a man holding a musket and in front of him sit two wolfhouds. In the center of the room a deer lays on a platform hung from the ceiling that appears to be ready for butchering, and in front of the deer is a pile of other assorted game. On the right Martha Washington enters behind the deer, dressed in a gown and holding a tray with glasses and a pitcher on it. Standing directly behind the deer is an African-American enslaved man holding a bottle. Leaning against the chest of drawers next to Martha are a young boy and girl. In the bottom corner of the image sits an African-American enslaved boy with a wicker basket. The room is simply appointed with a single window and door visable, a chest of drawers on the right, and a barrel with a saddle on it on the left. On the left wall hangs a pair of boots, a bottle and a knife near the window.MarkingsPrinted below image on left in block script: "Drawn by A. Henning.".
Printed below image on right in block script: "Engraved by H. S. Hall.".
Printed below image centered in block script: "Mount Vernon in the Olden Time / Washington at 30 years of age / New York. Published and Engraved under the superintendence af W. H. Holbrooke. Broadway and Pall Mall London / Entd. according to Act of Congress. AD. 1855. by S. A. Hollbrooke in the Cks. office of the Di. Co. of the St. Ds. of N. Yk.".
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.
1858-1860
c. 1837-1857
1893-1910
