"George Washington" Engraving by Fenner, Sears & Co., after Stuart, circa mid-1830s

Presented is a head and shoulders engraved portrait of George Washington from the mid-1830s. The steel engraving was published in one of the more popular nineteenth century view books, John S. Hinton’s The History and Topography of the United States of North America. The book was published in Boston by Samuel Walker, first appearing in 1832 and updated several times through 1856. This work contained text and numerous illustrations documenting the history of the nascent United States. Hinton used many different artists and engravers for his project, in this case using Gilbert Stuart’s famous “Lansdowne” portrait from 1796, engraved here by Fenner, Sears & Co. Washington is depicted in a head and shoulders pose, facing left. He wears a dark coat and vest and a white shirt and ruffled cravat. 

The famous Lansdowne oil painting of George Washington by Gilbert Stuart was painted in 1797, and depicted Washington in the final year of his presidency. While other artists of the same period had depicted Washington as a military leader, outfitted in his Revolutionary military uniform, Stuart was the first portraitist to paint Washington as the country's first president, in robes and a civilian suit, emphasizing the fact that he had resigned his commission as a military leader to lead in the new executive branch of government. 

Stuart’s portraits of Washington are celebrated as some of the most accurate depictions of the great leader. Speaking on Stuart's ability to capture Washington's likeness, author John Neal wrote in his book Randolph in 1823, “If Washington should appear on earth, just as he sat to Stuart, I am sure that [he] would be treated as an impostor, when compared with Stuart's likeness of him, unless he produced his credentials.”

CONDITION:

Near fine condition. Steel engraving. Black and white, with full margins. Four rows of text in the bottom margins: “George Washington./ Engraved by Fenner, Sears & Co. from a Painting by Stuart/ Rest Fenner, Sears & Co. 53 Paternoster Row. & Thomas Wardle, Philadelphia /& Issac Taylor Hinton.” Paper is healthy, save light toning and very faint smudges along the right side, where the page would have been turned and touched. Along the left side margin is occasional glue residue, where it was originally bound into the book. Clean verso. 

Engraving is archivally framed in a custom-built black and brushed gold wooden frame, with gray acid-free top mats, and UV glass.

Framed Dimensions: 15" H x 12 1/2" W x 1" D.

Accompanied by our company's letter of authenticity.