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[SAVAGE, Edward, possibly] after Gilbert STUART
George Washington
1801. Mezzotint. In good condition with the exception of being trimmed within the plate mark on the lower margin. Overall light rubbing throughout image and rubbed crease along lower left side of image. Mended tear on left margin extending into image, and small tear on right margin. Lower right corner has been repaired, and paper is slightly yellowed. Tear on upper right margin extending into image. Image size: 26 3/8 x 20 inches. Sheet size: 27 5/8 x 20 7/8 inches.
A stunning print of George Washington after Gilbert Stuart's famous Lansdowne Portrait.
This stunning image is based on James Heath's engraving after Gilbert Stuart's famous portrait of Washington. Stuart's painting, done in 1796, is known as the Lansdowne Portrait because it was a gift to the Marquis of Lansdowne, an English supporter of American independence, from Senator and Mrs. William Bingham of Pennsylvania. The painting was quickly reproduced by the British engraver James Heath without Stuart's consent, an act that infuriated Stuart who had hoped to control the rights to the engraving and thus garner some profit from the publication and sale of the print. Despite his condemnation, Heath's engraving established Stuart's painting as the official image of Washington and set a style for portraying Washington's successors in the White House.
By process of elimination it would appear that this print is Edward Savage's portrait of Washington after Heath's famous image. Hart describes a print by Savage that matches almost exactly this mezzotint of Washington, except that the lettering in the first line of this impression is impossible to read. Upon inspection it appears that the lettering, which according to Hart should read 'E. Savage Execu: td 1801', has been printed over twice, or an attempt has been made to erase it. Hart claims that in most copies of this print the date is barely visible, therefore it is possible that the lettering on this pull has become unreadable or that a failed attempt to correct the weakened inscription line resulted in this indecipherable text. (Hart)
Hart, Catalogue of Engraved Portraits of Washington no.293; Cunningham, Popular Images of the Presidency: From Washington to Lincoln p.135-139; Wick, George Washington an American Icon p.60-61
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#9387 $2,250.00 
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© 2002-2005 Donald A. Heald
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