ARTIST: Gilbert Stuart
PUBLISHER: Engraved & Published by Illman & Pilbrow, New York.
MEDIUM: Mezzotint; black and white,
DATE: c. 1840.
EDITION SIZE: Image size 25 5/8 x 16 13/16" (65..1 x 42..7 cm).
DESCRIPTION: A large, fine mezzotint engraving of a famous painting of George Washington. The portrait was originally painted by Gilbert Stuart, the well-known portraitist who depicted six presidents as well as other famous figures during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. This mezzotint comes from Stuart’s ‘tea pot type’ Washington portrait, which is similar to the famous Lansdowne portrait in its background and composition, but differs in Washington’s pose and the position of his arm. This particular copy of the mezzotint is also notable because the title with Washington’s name is inscribed in calligraphic script using a separate plate, which has been attached to the base of the image. The word ‘proof’ at the bottom of this added plate suggests that this sheet may have served as a proof for later copies to be made of the image.
ADDITIONAL INFO:
CONDITION: Good condition save for repaired tear in title margin.
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