"George Washington" Lithograph, Published by Peter S. Duval, After Rembrandt Peale, 1856

Presented is an original lithograph of George Washington, shown in three-quarter pose with formal dress. Printed in oval form, the black and white lithograph was printed by Peter S. Duval Co. of Philadelphia in 1856. The portrait is modeled after a bust portrait by the noted American artist, Rembrandt Peale (1778-1860).

Peter S. Duval Co., based out of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was highly regarded in its day for the quality of the prints the company produced. A French artist, Peter Duval arrived in Philadelphia in 1831 to work for Cephas G. Childs, one of the first commercial Philadelphia firms. Duval worked for Childs until late 1834, when he bought out Childs and founded Lehman & Duval with artist George Lehman. Three years later, he opened his own firm, P.S. Duval’s Lithographic Establishment, located at 7 Bank Alley.

Duval offered a wide range of printing services, including art prints, advertisements, certificates, checks, circulars, maps, pamphlets, sheet music covers, and title pages. His workshop served as a training ground for a generation of printmakers, whose artistic abilities, he believed, should match those of fine artists. Duval is also celebrated for his embrace of innovation; his was of the first printing firms to utilize steam power in lithographic printing, explore new ways to automate the lithographic printing process, and invent and advance color lithography.

CONDITION:

Overall very good condition. Paper has light toning. Cut in print, at lower right, since repaired and stabilized, but still visible. Framed in a custom black frame with antiqued silver spandrel, oval gray top mat, and UV glass. Framed dimensions: 36" H x 30" W.