George Washington, Esqr. General and Commander in Chief of the Continental Army in America

[WASHINGTON, George (1732 - 1799, portrait of)]; Alexander CAMPBELL (attributed)

Published by published by C. Shepherd, [London], 1775

Mezzotint. Trimmed to plate mark. The influential early portrait of Washington. Public curiosity for prints of George Washington was not limited to America but spread to the English and European print shops, where an inquisitive audience clamored for a glimpse at the notorious American hero. Interest in this great man reached such a frenzy that European publishers, eager to please a demanding market, published fictitious portraits of the general before they had an accurate likeness. Thus the first English and European prints of Washington were completely invented, and varied in likeness as much with each other as they did with Washington's own countenance. London publishers, using the names C. Shepard, Thomas Hart, and John Morris, issued a series of mezzotints of the officers of the American Revolution, none of which are copied from accurate portraits but rather, were constructed on a visual formula and bear no resemblance to the individuals they claim to be representing. This stunning print of Washington is exactly one of these invented English portraits, and therefore one of the earliest prints of the General. In fact, upon closer study it has come to light that there is no record of the artist Alex Campbell and that Washington never sat for these portraits. This amazing print is a fascinating example of the ingenious and devious ploys of the eighteenth century print trade as well as an extremely early print of one of our greatest founding fathers. By September 1775 two portraits had been published: the present image and a three-quarter length portrait of "Washington" standing, hand on sword and pointing to the battle raging in the background. Both images were taken up with enthusiasm by other engravers and artists and spawned a number of copies and adaptations. Hart, Catalogue of Engraved Portraits of Washington 721; Wick, George Washington an American Icon, page 18-22; Baker, 46; Fowble, 75. Seller Inventory # 41323

Bibliographic Details

Title: George Washington, Esqr. General and ...
Publisher: published by C. Shepherd, [London]
Publication Date: 1775