"Washington." Engraving by Oliver Pelton, after Gilbert Stuart, c. 1860
This is a handsome engraving of President George Washington, after Gilbert Stuart's famous likeness of the first President. The engraving was engraved by Oliver Pelton, circa 1861. This standing portrait shows President George Washington in front of neoclassical columns. In his right hand, he holds a dress sword, hinting at his military prowess and his significant role as Commander in Chief. To his left is a table strewn with books, scrolls, and quill and inkpot to signify rule of law. This print was published after Washington's death, to celebrate his importance as one of the founders of our great nation. Washington’s visage is based on the famous "Lansdowne" portrait by Gilbert Stuart, originally painted in 1796 in one of the several in-person sittings Washington had with Stuart. Stuart's portrait was adapted by countless painters during the period, who, without access to Washington themselves, often painted variants of Gilbert's original. Oliver Pelton was born in Portland, Connecticut in 1798. He apprenticed under Abner Reed, one of the first American banknote engravers. In 1827 he was working as an engraver in Boston, and by 1836 he became a partner in the banknote engraving firm of Pelton and Terry. In the 1850s, Pelton was engraving portraits of American notables, his most famous being an 1861 rendition of Gilbert Stuart’s painting of George Washington, as seen here. A framed impression hung in the Springfield, Illinois home of Abraham Lincoln while he was serving as President. Pelton spent the latter decades of his career in Newton, Massachusetts and East Hartford, Connecticut. CONDITION: Good condition. Engraving, on wove paper. Strong impression. Scattered areas of loss and several tears with previous paper repair evident, mostly confined to the margins but several into image. Trimmed margins. Faint staining to bottom title margin. Archivally framed in a custom-built black and gold frame, with UV glass, and acid-free mats. Framed Dimensions: 31'' H x 22 1/2'' W x 7/8'' D. Accompanied by our company's letter of authenticity.