Washington Related
Famous James Heath Engraving "General Washington"
1800, Engraving by James Heath, "General Washington," After a Painting by Gilbert Stuart, Fine.
This famous engraving of George Washington, measuring 23" x 16," was made from the "Lansdowne" portrait, one of three famous portrait types made by painter Gilbert Stuart. It was a large, elegant, full-length version and was sent to the Marquis of Lansdowne by a wealthy Philadelphian, William Bingham. (The other two types were called the "Vaughan" and the "Athenaeum.") The "Lansdowne" likeness was first engraved in London by James Heath and published on January 1, 1800. It was exported to and widely advertised in America. Stuart, who had planned to publish a print himself, was furious and placed notices in newspapers in several cities (See "George Washington: An American Icon," pp. 59-60). The engraving offered here shows Washington in civilian clothes, but holding his sword, and gesturing towards a table, under which are several books, one of them his "General Orders." The leg of the table is in the form of a fasces (bundled sticks, in this case referring to strength in unity), with an eagle at the top holding arrows in its talon. This is a wonderful display piece, having some light scattered toning and stains, housed in a plain style gold wooden frame (not examine out of the frame). There is a tear in the left margin (not affecting the print) and another in the upper left corner of the print itself. The paper exhibits a few wrinkles here and there, possibly from the time of manufacture. The last example of this famous print which we sold was in our October 2003 sale, Lot # 540, which brought $2,300.
Famous James Heath Engraving "General Washington"
1800, Engraving by James Heath, "General Washington," After a Painting by Gilbert Stuart, Fine.
This famous engraving of George Washington, measuring 23" x 16," was made from the "Lansdowne" portrait, one of three famous portrait types made by painter Gilbert Stuart. It was a large, elegant, full-length version and was sent to the Marquis of Lansdowne by a wealthy Philadelphian, William Bingham. (The other two types were called the "Vaughan" and the "Athenaeum.") The "Lansdowne" likeness was first engraved in London by James Heath and published on January 1, 1800. It was exported to and widely advertised in America. Stuart, who had planned to publish a print himself, was furious and placed notices in newspapers in several cities (See "George Washington: An American Icon," pp. 59-60). The engraving offered here shows Washington in civilian clothes, but holding his sword, and gesturing towards a table, under which are several books, one of them his "General Orders." The leg of the table is in the form of a fasces (bundled sticks, in this case referring to strength in unity), with an eagle at the top holding arrows in its talon. This is a wonderful display piece, having some light scattered toning and stains, housed in a plain style gold wooden frame (not examine out of the frame). There is a tear in the left margin (not affecting the print) and another in the upper left corner of the print itself. The paper exhibits a few wrinkles here and there, possibly from the time of manufacture. The last example of this famous print which we sold was in our October 2003 sale, Lot # 540, which brought $2,300.
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Auction details
Autographs-Coins-Currency-Americana
9:00 AM PT - Feb 10th, 2008
offered by
Early American
P.O. Box 3507
Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067
Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067
