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1934-30, Print
George Washington, Esqr.
1934-30, Print

George Washington, Esqr.

Date1775
Formerly attributed to
Formerly attributed to
After work by
Publisher
OriginEngland, London
MediumMezzotint with line engraving on laid paper.
DimensionsOverall: 16 × 11 3/4in. (40.6 × 29.8cm)
Credit LineMuseum Purchase
Object number1934-30
DescriptionLower margin reads: "Done from an Original Drawn from the Life by Alex.r Campbell of Williamsburgh in Virginia./ GEORGE WASHINGTON, Esq.r/ GENERAL and COMMANDER in CHIEF of the CONTINENTAL ARMY in AMERICA./ Published as the Act Directs, 9 Sept.r 1775 by C. Shepherd./ 85."Label TextThis print of George Washington is from of a series of portraits of officers in the American War published quickly in England to capitalize on current events. Although this portrait print is inscribed "Drawn from life by Alex.r Campbell of Williamsburg in Virginia," the identity of the artist is unknown. Washington wrote to Colonel Joseph Reed to thank him for sending him a copy of a print allegedly after Campbell's work, nothing in January 1776 that, "Mr. Campbell whom I never saw to my knowledge, has made a very formidable figure of the Commander-in-Chief, giving him a sufficient portion of terror in his countenance." Alexander Campbell and C. Shepherd are both fictious names. Recent scholarship by Dr. Amy Torbert attributes this print, along with 13 others of military leaders most of whom were associated with the American cause (apart from the Howe brothers), to Charles Corbutt, an artist and engraver who worked with the firm of Robert Sayer and John Bennett. Given the political climate, publishing prints of American rebels was risky, especially given they were not based on actual portraits of these individuals. The use of fake artists names from America helped add a level of authenticity.

There are several other prints bearing this inscription. See 1934-20, 1934-19, and 1951-79.
ProvenanceBefore 1934, Goodspeed's Book Shop (Boston, MA); 1934-present, purchased by the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation (Williamsburg, VA).