Price: $1,450.00
SKU: 104284
ARTIST: Joseph Wright
MEDIUM: Line and stipple engraving.
DATE: Undated, c. 1791.
EDITION SIZE: Oval, 4 1/8 x 3 1/8" (10.5 x 7.9 cm)
DESCRIPTION: <b>A rare and beautifully engraved portrait of General George Washington</b><br><br> This scarce engraving of Washington was unknown to Baker, and documented by Hart in his monumental work, "Catalog of the Engraved Portraits of Washington" as entry number. 158. One example of the type appeared as Lot 103 from the Whelen Collection auction sale in 1909, noted as "extremely rare". Lot 148 of the Mitchell Collection sale in 1906, also noted as "extremely rare". Lot 184 of the Holden Collection sale of 1910 lists the engraving as "scarce" and attributes the engraving to being printed in Edinburgh in 1791.<br><br> 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 was vehemently opposed to the restrictions placed on the colonies by the British government. Washington was elected as a delegate from Virginia and on July 3, 1775, George Washington formally took command 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 aid of French allies, this method of fighting eventually helped Washington to force Cornwallis’ surrender at Yorktown.<br><br> 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.
ADDITIONAL INFO: Handsomely framed in a 1/2" receding black molding. Overall framed size 6.75 x 5 inches. A beautiful impression.
CONDITION: Fine condition. B/W
REFERENCE: Hart # 158
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