Washington Related
Hand-Engraved Carving of "George Washington in Prayer at Valley Forge" Choice Custom High-Relief Walnut Portrait
Exceptional Hand-Engraved Carving of "George Washington in Prayer at Valley Forge" Carved in High-Relief Walnut with matching Frame Surround Hanging Display, by artist Daniel Roller, Choice Extremely Fine.
The central high-relief carving of "George Washington in Prayer" itself measures about 10" wide x 12" tall x 1" deep, with its outer frame fully 16" wide x 18.75" tall, supported with reinforced wood on the reverse, ready to hang on display. It is self framed in matching wood, all beautifully carved and presented in High-relief. The artist's name "Daniel Roller" engraved at lower left just below the carved scene, just under Washington's foot and the tip of his sword. Likely mid-19th century by appearance. There is no date or place. We have located no current information on this obviously highly talented artist. All details are sharp and crisp as made, the wood is even in its natural tone, creating outstanding imagery. One of the legends or myths of Valley Forge Camp is that General George Washington prayed for his country there. We do not say that he did not pray at Valley Forge, there simply is an open question as to how he did so, and if he actually was witnessed in prayer. There are a number of artists who represent Washington kneeling in prayer, some in the snow, some in the grass of a glade in the woods. There was a guide at Valley Forge in the 1920's and 1930's who would give personal tours, and showing the "exact spot upon which the General kneeled in prayer." This is one such beautifully Hand-engraved artist's portrayal of that likely scene.
Washington in Prayer:
One of the legends or myths of Valley Forge Camp is that General George Washington prayed for his country there. We do not say that he did not pray at Valley Forge, there simply is an open question as to how he did so and if he actually was witnessed in prayer.
There are a number of artists who represent Washington kneeling in prayer, some in the snow, some in the grass of a glade in the woods. There are even separate versions of the story. There was a guide in the 1920's and 1930's who would give tours and show the "exact spot upon which the General kneeled in prayer."
George Washington offered a day of Thanksgiving and Supplication to his Maker for all of the Continental Army troops on numerous occasions throughout the entirety of the Revolutionary War... whether his private time in prayer was witnessed by Isaac Potts, or the Marquis de Lafayette, and Peter Muhlenberg ... is still open for debate.