ARTIST: Pierre Eugene du Simitiere
PUBLISHER: Published by W. Sartain, N.Y.
MEDIUM: Stipple engraving
DATE: 1899
EDITION SIZE: Image size 5 x 3 5/8" (12.7 x 9.3 cm)
DESCRIPTION: A beautifully engraved portrait. .<br><br> A signed proof impression printed Chine-colle. In Charles Henry Hart's work, The Engraved Portraits of Washington, he noted that there were 100 titled prints produced with a small number of untitle proofs produced. The is one of the untitled proofs and bears the pencil signature of William Sartain in the lower right.<br><br> Pierre Eugene Du Simitiere (1737-1784) Portrait painter, curator and naturalist; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Born in Geneva, Switzerland. Came to America in 1765 after spending several years in the West Indies collecting natural history specimens. Elected curator, 1768, of the American Philosophical Society, and set up a natural history museum. He collected Revolutionary War ephemera and literature.<br><br> William Sartain (1843-1924) Noted painter and engraver. Following the Civil War, William executed a series of mezzotint portraits of prominent war heroes. And later, of other famous personages. This portrait of George Washington is a superb example and showcases Sartain’s extraordinary skill as an engraver. The youngest son of John Sartain, William is known for his emotive landscape paintings, but he was also a very skilled engraver. He is one of the founders of the Society of America Artist. Born in 1732, George Washington served as the first President of the United States. He was a Virginia gentleman, brought up with strong morals and a passion for both the military and for western expansion. At the young age of sixteen, Washington fought in the French and Indian War and served as an aide to Gen. Braddock. Upon the start of the American Revolution, Washington fought to keep his plantation safe, and he was vehemently opposed to the restrictions placed on the colonies by the British government. Washington was elected a delegate from Virginia and became the Commander in Chief of the Continental Army. A shrewd and thoughtful leader, Washington employed a tactic of falling back suddenly then striking quickly to surprise his enemies; with the aide of French allies, this method of fighting helped Washington force Cornwallis’ surrender at Yorktown. Washington worked to create the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia (1787) so as to remedy the nation which seemed to struggle under the existing Articles of Confederation. Washington was elected President when the Constitution was ratified. Under the new Constitution, Washington sought to operate within the new boundaries set for a national leader, and was left to determine the foreign affairs of the country. He decided upon a neutral course while the United States developed into a strong entity. At the end of his second term, Washington retired from politics, returning to his home in Mount Vernon. He died three years later, in the winter of 1799.<br><br>
ADDITIONAL INFO: A beautiful impression.
CONDITION: Fine condition. B/E
REFERENCE: Hart #71a
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