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Leon Cogniet Washington Portrait Oil on Canvas 1836

Leon Cogniet (French, 1794 - 1880) George Washington Portrait Oil on Canvas, Circa 1836

Léon Cogniet (August 29, 1794 - November 20, 1880) was a French painter. Cognet was born in Paris In 1812, he entered the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris, where he studied under Pierre-Narcisse Guérin at the same time as Delacroix and Géricault. He was a resident at the Villa Medici, in Rome, from 1817 to 1822. A romantic painter, his main subjects were history and portraits, and in 1817 he won the Prix de Rome. He died in Paris in 1880.

George Washington (February 22, 1732 - December 14, 1799) was a central and critical figure in the founding of the United States, and is commonly referred to as father of the nation. He led America's Continental Army to victory over Britain in the American Revolutionary War (1775-1783), and in 1789 was elected the first President of the United States of America. He served two four-year terms from 1789 to 1797, winning reelection in 1792. His devotion to republicanism and civic virtue made him an exemplary figure among early American politicians.

Celebrated artist Leon Cogniet (1794-1880) painted this romanticized and heroic portrait highlighting the authority, grace and stature of Washington at what appears to be Yorktown, the site of the decisive battle of the Revolutionary War. Also included are his white horse - almost certainly "Old Nelson," plus a cavalry groom, cannon, river and what appears to be Yorktown.

Washington stands in full uniform atop a redoubt (perhaps number ten on Gloucester Point), overlooking what would be Yorktown, left hand posed over his sword's grip, spyglass in his right. The seaward sky (to Washington's left) is shaded noticeably darker than landward, symbolizing the threat posed by England, and more broadly, the unknown. Washington's adjutant holds "Old Nelson" at bay, positioned more towards the sea, while a lone cannon over his right shoulder points towards the mouth of the river.

Cogniet copied Washington's head from the original "Virginia Regiment" portrait by Gilbert Stuart, which was painted from life in 1796 - and the source of the "flopped" image of Washington we find on our dollar bills today. G.W. Parke Custis wrote that Washington's "matchless limbs" were rarely portrayed well, and singled out Jean Nicolas Laugier's 1839 engraving of this painting (along with a portrait by Trumbull) as being very well done. Beautifully detailed and preserved in its original handmade dome-top frame.

Condition Report: Mild crazing, frame shows minor wear

Size: 24 x 28.8 in. (61 x 73.2 cm.)

Provenance: Gary Hendershott Museum Consultants, Bolton, Macbeth, Strong

Estimate: $40,000 - 60,000

Mild crazing, frame shows minor wear

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