Washington Related
1800 James Heath’s Engraving of “General Washington”
1800-Dated Federal Period, Historic Engraving by James Heath, “General Washington,” After a Painting by Gilbert Stuart, Choice Very Fine.
This classic, very famous Engraving of General George Washington, measures 31” x 22.5”, laid down to a heavy display card for a prior framing. It was made after the historic "Lansdowne" Portrait, one of three famous portrait types by America’s most important Revolutionary War era painter, Gilbert Stuart. The very large, full-length, original painted version was sent to the Marquis of Lansdowne by the wealthy Philadelphian, William Bingham. (The other two types were called the "Vaughan" and the "Athenaeum.") The "Lansdowne" likeness was first engraved in London by James Heath and published on January 1, 1800. It was then exported to and sold widely, being advertised in America.

The original artist, Gilbert Stuart, had planned to publish an Engraved Print version of his original painting himself. He was furious with Heath’s Engraved copy and placed notices in newspapers in several cities (See "George Washington: An American Icon," pp. 59-60). This important engraving shows George Washington in his fancy civilian clothes, but holding his sword, and gesturing towards a table, under which are several books, one of them his “General Orders.” The leg of the table is in the form of a fasces (bundled sticks, in this case referring to strength in unity), with an Eagle is at the top holding arrows in its talon.

This is a wonderful display piece, having some scattered toning and stains. We located a 2003 auction record for another copy of this famous print selling at $2,300. This current Engraving is well printed with sharp contrast, very clean and crisp in appearance, having light even expected tone, and is lovely for display.