A Portrait Miniature of George Washington

Details

SCHOOL OF GILBERT STUART (1755 - 1828), EARLY 19TH CENTURY**
A Portrait Miniature of George Washington
Signed E.K. (lower right)
watercolor on ivory
3¾ x 2 7/8 in.

Special notice

Prospective purchasers are advised that several countries prohibit the importation of property containing materials from endangered species, including but not limited to coral, ivory and tortoiseshell. Accordingly, prospective purchasers should familiarize themselves with relevant customs regulations prior to bidding if they intend to import this lot into another country.

Lot Essay

Gilbert Stuart (1755-1828) is best known for his prolific marketing of Washington likenesses and for the degree to which these images were copied. A document found among Gilbert Stuart's papers at his death in 1828 was inscribed Philadelphia, April 20, 1795 and listed subscribers who had ordered likenesses of Washington from the artist: List of Gentleman who are to have copies of the portrait of the President of the United States. This list accounts for at least thirty-three individuals who requested 191 likenesses of the first President. While this document does not imply that Stuart painted the portrait offered here, it does attest to the enormous number of Washington portraits ordered within a single given year. Washington's popularity during his Presidency, which increased after his death in 1799, created a heavy demand for these likenesses and many artists other than Stuart helped supply this growing need.

The identity of E.K. is unknown at present.

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