 Engravings
of George Washington that date to his lifetime are
generally rare. Often, Washington himself was
involved in sitting for the original portraits from
which subsequent prints and engravings would be produced
for the public. He frequently received copies of
engravings from artists and publishers eager to receive
the Washington's approval of their works. This
very rare engraving of Washington was published by
Edward Savage and is based on Savage's original painting
of Washington from 1790. The engraving legend
reads:
George Washington Esq.
President of the United States of America
From the original picture painted in 1790 for the
Philosophical Chamber, at the University of Cambridge
in Massachusetts
Published Feb. 7, 1792 by
E. Savage, No. 29 Charles Street, Middt. Hospital
Savage painted both
President Washington and Vice President John Adams early
in their first term of office. He then went to England
in 1791 to travel and study under the famed artist
Benjamin West. While in London, he engraved and
published several works, including a portrait of General
Henry Knox on December 7, 1791, and this portrait of
George Washington on February 7, 1792. Scholars
debate whether or not Savage was capable of such fine
engraving techniques with so little previous experience,
and it's possible that Savage listed himself as the
engraver despite the actual engraving being done by
another London engraver working with Savage.
Regardless, the stipple work of the engraving is of the
highest quality, resulting in a photo-realistic image of
Washington's face. Savage's likeness of Washington
is remarkable for the serene, fatherly look that Savage
imparted to the him. He is presidential, yet still
wears his military uniform, which is what most people of
the day expected, having known of Washington as military
hero and great general. Savage sent a copy of the
engraving to George and Martha Washington on October 6,
1793, writing, "I have taken the liberty to send two
prints. The one done from the portrait I first sketched
in black velvet, labours under some disadvantages as the
Likeness never was quite finished. I hope it will meet
with the approbation of yourself and Mrs. Washington as
it is the first I ever published in that method of
Engraving. The portrait of Doctor Franklin which
is published as a companion, is done from a picture in
the possession of Mr. West, President of the Royal
Academy."
Although this photo for
the Rare Flags site does not show it, this particular
copy of the engraving is unusual because it survives as
an untrimmed copy, still maintaining its full, wide
margins in its original state. Very few copies of
the engraving are known, and even fewer in such intact
condition. Savage's likeness of Washington has
been reproduced by many artists well into the 19th
century, and those later copies based on Savage trace
their lineage to this scarce early original print. |
