GEORGE WASHINGTON

Inscribed with the Sharples/Sharpless name on the reverse and backing board, this portrait of George Washington may have been executed by a member of the family headed by James Sharples (1752-1811). Born and trained in England, James, his third wife, Ellen Wallas (1769-1849), and his children, James, Jr., George, Felix and Rolinda, were all artists, particularly known for their work in pastels. The family were in America from 1793-1801, then again briefly and at various times from 1806 until James' death in New York in 1811. Unlike the three versions known to have been painted by the family (two in profile and another in a three-quarters view), the pose seen here is based on Gilbert Stuart's "Vaughan-type" portraits. Painted in 1795, Stuart's work was engraved the following year in London by Thomas Holloway (1748-1827) and provided a ready source for copyists. For more information, see Neil Jeffares, Dictionary of Pastellists before 1800, online edition, www.pastellists.com.