Washington and His Officers at Newburgh Receiving News of Peace

Status

Not on view

Label Text

Based on the inscription, this watercolor sketch was made as a study for a painting. It is set at Washington's Headquarters in Newburgh, New York. Hasbrouck House, which served as the General’s headquarters during the final year of the American Revolution— from 1782 to 1783— still stands and is now a historic site. It was there, following his famous Newburgh Address of March 1783 that ended a mutiny, that Washington received news that the Continental Congress had officially ratified the preliminary peace treaty with Great Britain on April 15, 1783, and it is this scene which the artist portrays. Moran produced numerous works for illustration throughout his career, and the painting may have been intended for an art calendar.

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Datec. 1915

Artist Edward Percy Moran (American, 1862 - 1935)

Subject George Washington (American, 1732 - 1799)

Geography Made - United States

Medium/TechniqueWatercolor, gouache, graphite on paper

DimensionsOverall (H x W Including mat): 17 in. × 19 1/2 in. (43.18 cm × 49.53 cm) Other (Sight): 12 in. × 14 1/2 in. (30.48 cm × 36.83 cm)

Credit LinePurchased by the A. Alfred Taubman Acquisition Endowment Fund, 1997

Object numberM-3942/A-B

DescriptionWatercolor sketch of George Washington and seven of his officers, with Washington shown just left of center, accepting the hand/delivery from the messenger at his proper right. Another figure reaches out to him from behind the desk at proper left. A foreground figure who does not face the viewer wears a blue tricorn hat; the second figure from proper right raises his hat in the air. The background is only marginally sketched in, with a window framed by two pictures. A large picture, as well as a clock and candlesticks are above a fireplace. There is a chair in the foreground, and the suggestion of one behind Washington. All the figures are in blue coats—several at proper left have red trim—except the messenger, who wears buff. Washington’s waistcoat and trousers are not painted but remain the color of the sheet.
SignedAt lower proper right corner, within the graphite border, in light graphite: “PERCY MORAN,” with a swastika/whirling log symbol.
Published ReferencesRaymond H. Robinson, “The Marketing of an Icon,” in Barbara Mitnick, ed. George Washington: American Symbol (Hudson Hills Press, New York, 1999), 109-121. (General Reference)

Barbara Mitnick, “Paintings for the People,” in Picturing History: American Painting 1770-1930 (New York: Rizzoli in association with Fraunces Tavern Museum, 1993). (General Reference)

The National Cyclopedia of American Biography, Vol X (New York: James T. White and Company, 1909), 367. (General Reference)

Markings1.) At upper edge, in graphite: “BY PERCY MORAN ORIGINAL SKETCH FOR A PAINTING” ; in cursive script (“twelve fifty ten”) 2.) At lower left corner in graphite: “WASHINGTON AND HIS OFFICERS AT NEWBURGH RECEIVING NEWS OF PEACE. APRIL 1[9 1783] / ON THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE BATTLE OF LEXINGTON.”

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