George Washington's Mount Vernon

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Status

Not on view

Date1844-1850

Artist Unknown

Geography Probably made - United States

Medium/TechniqueOil on canvas; wood, gilt

DimensionsOverall: 9 in. × 10 in. × 1 1/8 in. (22.86 cm × 25.4 cm × 2.86 cm) Other (Sight): 6 in. × 7 in. (15.24 cm × 17.78 cm) Other (Stretcher): 6 1/2 in. × 7 1/2 in. (16.51 cm × 19.05 cm)

Credit LineAcquired through the generosity of Matt and LeeAnne Murrell in honor of the Murrell and Gagermeier Families, 2018

Object numberM-5708

DescriptionHorizontal rectangular landscape depicting the Mount Vernon Mansion from the slope to the southeast, looking to the northwest. The composition includes several landscape features along a path that begins at the viewer’s lower left corner, crosses the foreground to near the right edge, then proceeds diagonally into the center of the picture, ending at the center door on the east front. Features depicted along the path in the foreground include, from lower left: the Gothic façade of the New Tomb, one white obelisk, and the door of the Old Tomb with a small mound behind. A post and rail fence runs behind the path and in front of the Old Tomb; a small grove of deciduous and coniferous trees stands behind the fence. At the center of the lawn leading up to the Mansion, to the right of the path, is the summerhouse, next to a large tree with two trunks. The Mansion is shown with balustrade atop the piazza and porch at the south end. To the left of the Mansion, the south colonnade, kitchen, and a South Lane outbuilding (probably the Storehouse and Clerk’s Quarters) are visible. A woman in a red dress, white shawl and hat and a man with a black hat, stroll along the path toward the New Tomb, and two men (one possibly African American) sit in a small rowboat off shore in the Potomac River in the right background. The painting is housed in a period molded gilt frame, likely original, with board backing.

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