George Washington

Status

Not on view

Label Text

This miniature is an early example of the widespread influence of Gilbert Stuart’s portraiture of George Washington, and particularly the Athenaeum-type portrait of 1796. Stuart’s portraits were copied by accomplished miniaturists such as Robert Field, Thomas Sully, Walter Robertson, and Benjamin Trott. This miniature can be traced back to the lifetime of George Washington, as it was apparently owned by Washington’s youngest brother Charles, who died in 1799. It is currently attributed to Benjamin Trott. There are two other miniatures after Stuart and apparently by Trott in the MVLA collection: H-2377 and M-1661.

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Datec. 1799

Subject George Washington (American, 1732 - 1799)

After Gilbert Stuart (American, 1755 - 1828)

Possible artist Benjamin Trott (American, c. 1770 - 1843)

Geography Made - United States

Medium/TechniqueWatercolor on ivory; gilt copper case, glass, fabric

DimensionsOverall (H x W x D): 3 5/16 in. × 2 5/16 in. × 3/8 in. (8.47 cm × 5.87 cm × 0.95 cm)

Credit LineGift of Mrs. Charles L. Hussey and Carolina Brownson Hart, 1944 Conservation courtesy of The Founders, Washington Committee Endowment Fund

Object numberM-1365

DescriptionOval bust-length portrait miniature of George Washington in civilian dress, three-quarters turned to the proper right, and with blue eyes gazing out toward the proper left. His face is painted with visible strokes, his nose is broad, and he has a double chin. The sitter’s hair is powdered white, with dark brown color at the lower edges, opaque white highlights, and a transparent wash of white that extends over the edges. It is worn ‘en queue’ with a black queue bag with a sawtooth bow. The bow is highlighted with white, as is the upper proper left edge of Washington's coat. He wears a white shirt with a lace jabot also painted with opaque white. The black velvet coat is painted with vertical strokes. The background strokes in olive green to brown shades create a pattern encircling the sitter’s head.

The miniature is encased in a gilded copper alloy locket, with a pendant mount and a large glass back with a dark cloth at the back.

Published ReferencesElizabeth Bryant Johnston Original Portraits of Washington (Boston: James R. Osgood and Company, 1882), 17.

Harry Wehle, American Miniatures 1730-1850 (Garden City, NY: Garden City Publishing Company, 1937), 40-42. (General Reference)

Dale T. Johnson, American Portrait Miniatures in The Manney Collection (New York, NY: Harry Abrams, 1991), 215-219. (General Reference)

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