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ANONYMOUS after Gilbert STUART
General Washington, Late President of the United States of America
London: Haines & Son, No. 19 Rolls Buildings, Fetter Lane, March 21, 1801. Mezzotint. Printed on wove paper. In good condition with the exception of being laid down onto an archival wove backing sheet. Trimmed just outside the platemark on all sides as usual. Plate is worn and there is a crease along the bottom right corner. Image size: 12 x 9 ¾ inches. Sheet size: 13 ¾ x 9 ¾ inches.
A superb early portrait of George Washington published in London by the celebrated printsellers Haines & Son.
Public curiosity for prints of George Washington swept though Europe and America at a staggering rate. Print shops and booksellers were crowded with images of this great American patriot, and his countenance continued to be reproduced until the onset of the twentieth century. The artist and engraver of this bold portrait of Washington are not recorded on the plate, which was typical of works published at the period by Haines & Son. Haines & Son were prolific publishers and printsellers who catered to the decorative print market, they often republished earlier plates, which they acquired from other publishers, such as Carington Bowles and Robert Sayer. This image reproduces Gilbert Stuart's famous portrait known as the "Athenaeum" likeness, because the painting was owned by the Boston Athenaeum. The "Athenaeum" likeness established an inexorable hold on public consciousness and became one of the best-known representations of Washington. A myriad of printmakers became fascinated with Stuart's portrait, making it a widely recognized image and ensuring its place in history as one of the best-loved likenesses of this founding father. As Wick states "Stuart's enduring, patriarchal image was to have an extraordinary influence, eventually dominating the visual conception of Washington almost to the exclusion of any other likeness" (Wick, 58).
Wick, George Washington an American Icon pp. 58-63; Hart, Catalogue of Engraved Portraits of Washington 802, Baker, 369
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#16169 $1,500.00 
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© 2002-2005 Donald A. Heald
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