General Washington's Resignation

General Washington's Resignation,
John James Barralet (After),
Alexander Lawson (Maker),
B ...

Status

Not on view

Label Text

To celebrate George Washington's retirement from the presidency in March 1797, Philadelphia displayed a life-size painting showing Washington leaving a sword and helmet - symbols of power - at America's feet as he gestured towards Mount Vernon. Printed in a popular periodical, this engraving of that painting brought the image to a wider audience.

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DateJanuary, 1799

After John James Barralet (British, 1747 - 1815)

Maker Alexander Lawson (American, 1772 - 1846)

Publisher B. Davies (American)

Subject George Washington (American, 1732 - 1799)

Geography Made - United States

Medium/TechniqueInk on paper, engraving

DimensionsOverall (H x W): 10 in. x 7 3/8 in. (25.4 cm x 18.73 cm) Other (Sheet H x W): 7 1/2 in. x 4 3/8 in. (19.05 cm x 11.11 cm) Other (Image H x W): 6 in. x 3 11/16 in. (15.24 cm x 9.37 cm)

Credit LineGift of Mr. and Mrs. Stanley DeForest Scott, 1985

Object numberSC-116

DescriptionFull length portrait of George Washington below an allegorical representation of Peace. Washington is standing on the steps in front of a temple before the seated goddess and a pedestal with burning coals. A helmet, staff, and sword lay at his feet, and with his left hand he gestures toward Mount Vernon in the background. A team of oxen and a plow are visible in front of the house. In the foreground is an eagle clutching a shield and arrows, next to a cornucopia with fruits and vegetables spilling from it. Behind the goddess is a domed temple with a winged figure on its dome and rays from the sun extending behind it.

Hart 776a
Published ReferencesCharles Henry Hart and Samuel Arlent Edwards, Catalogue of the Engraved Portraits of Washington (New York: Grolier Club of the City of New York, 1904), 328.

MarkingsPrinted below image on left in cursive script: "Barrelet Invt & Direxit". Printed below image on right in cursive script: "Lawson Sculp". Printed below image centered in block script: "General Washington's/Resignation."

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