David Edwin (Bath, England, 1776 - 1841, Philadelphia)
George Washington, about 1810
Stipple engraving on wove paper, 40 x 32.4 cm (15 3/4 x 12 3/4 in.)
This portrait of George Washington’s head and shoulders is a stipple engraving, which is a drawing technique in which areas of light and shadow are created using nothing but dots. Washington has pale skin, curly white hair with large sideburns, dark eyes and eyebrows, and a large straight nose. He has a serious expression on his face as he gazes to our left. He is dressed in a dark jacket, a high stiff white collar and a sheer lace ascot at his neck. The dots are visible upon close inspection.
Short Gallery
Commentary
The popularity of George Washington grew over the course of the 19th century. This print was made in about 1810 after a portrait of Washington by Rembrandt Peale.
When the United States observed the centennial of its founding in 1876 and the 100th anniversary of George Washington’s first inauguration as president in 1889, many Americans collected images of the “Father of the Country.” Isabella was no exception, and she displayed this print in the Short Gallery along side a portrait of Washington’s friend, Benjamin Franklin.