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George Washington
1847
Rembrandt Peale (1778-1860)
USA: Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
Oil on canvas
frame: 42-1/2"h x 35-1/2"w x 2"d; overall: 35-1/4"h x 28-1/2"w; stretcher: 38"h x 33"w x 1/2"d
Gift of John Bartholomew Webster
75.6

"Porthole" portrait of President George Washington (1732-1799) in military uniform, facing his right. Set in an oval trompe l'oeil stonework surround; inscribed lower left, on the surround: "Rembrandt Peale." Washington wears a blue coat with yellow collar, epaulettes and lapels and a ruffled white shirt. He has white hair pulled back from his face.


In 1795, Charles Willson Peale and his son Rembrandt, aged just 17, had the opportunity to draw President George Washington (1732-1799) from life. Years later, in 1824, Rembrandt Peale completed a portrait of Washington titled Patriae Pater (Father of his Country) from his earlier work. This painting is currently displayed in the United States Senate chamber. In later years, clients could order different versions of Rembrandt Peale's 1824 portrait of George Washington. These portraits depict Washington in either civilian or military dress, and facing either left or right. Henry Paul Beck of Philadelphia purchased this painting from Peale in 1847 for $125.00. For further information, see blog post, December 20, 2011, http://nationalheritagemuseum.typepad.com/library_and_archives/2011/12/rembrandt-peales-visit-with-george-washington.html