This watercolor by an amateur artist cleverly adapts an engraving of the same name to create a successful image of Washington as the American lawgiver. As President of the Constitutional Convention in 1787, Washington shepherded the creation of America’s founding document. While the watercolor closely follows the print in depicting Washington holding a tablet engraved with “The American Constitution” and supported by a varied cast of symbolic and mythological figures, the artist made several key changes to appeal directly to an American audience. The scene is set in an extensive countryside suggestive of America’s varied landscape, with fields, forests, and mountains, and merchant ships flying the American flag sailing on the river. The figure of Washington is unmistakable, modeled after Gilbert Stuart’s famous likeness. The artist’s inspired blend of contemporary and classical dress – showing Washington with curled hair, a coat collar, cravat, and shirt ruffle paired with bare muscular arms, flowing robe, and sandals in the classical vein – ensures that Washington’s dignity and respectability remain intact.