Chinese School early 19th century, After John James Barralet (Irish, 1747-1815), Apotheosis of Washington

Reverse painting on glass, retains original frame.

26 ½ in. x 19 in. (sight)

Provenance

Property of a Mid-Atlantic Institution.

Footnotes

Barralet's extremely popular engraving, “Apotheosis of Washington” or “The Commemoration of Washington,” as it was originally titled, was first published in Philadelphia, 1800-1802. Barralet based the scene on works by the artist Gilbert Stuart (1755-1828).

From 2008 Treatment Record The painting was found with a break in the upper right hand corner in 2005. "The painted side of the glass (the reverse) was cleaned using water on swabs. Grease and oil were removed from the break edges using acetone on swabs. The broken sections were attached using epoxy ( Epotek 301-2). Some springing during breakage was evident at the time of reassembly and a best fit approach was undertaken. Missing sections of glass were filled using Epotek 301-2 epoxy. Flaking losses were inpainted using LeFranc & Bourgeois Couleurs pour la Restauration ( Pigments ground in Paraloid B-67). A backing board of ¼ “ Th. white Pexiglas was prepared with black acrylic paints to mimic the dark passages of the composition in order to help visually reduce the damage. The front of the work is protected by ¼ in. Th. Plexiglas glazing. Custom spacers were made from wood and carved to the unique profile of the wavy glass. The frame was built out on the reverse to conceal the thicker package (consisting of artifact glazing, backer and spacers.”