George Washington
Artist
Foeiqua
(Chinese)
Dateca. 1800
MediumReverse oil painting on glass
Dimensions28 1/4 × 20 1/4 in. (71.8 × 51.4 cm)
Frame Dimension: 39 × 32 in. (99.1 × 81.3 cm)
Frame Dimension: 39 × 32 in. (99.1 × 81.3 cm)
ClassificationsOil Painting
Credit LineGift of Caroline N. Dealy, Frank P. Dealy, Darilyn H. Dealy and Wensley A. Dealy
in honor of Caroline H.P. Dealy
Terms
Object number2008.74
DescriptionGeorge Washington was the single most important American. He proved himself on the battlefield as the commanding general of the American Revolution, which established the world's first democracy. As a statesman, he guided the early republic through many crises. Our first president, he ensured the orderly succession by resigning this high office to our second elected president, John Adams.The New Britain Museum has wanted to acquire a portrait of George Washington for many years. His image will allow us to tell the story of his struggles and his ultimate triumph.
This painting has been the subject of considerable research. The artist was inspired by Gilbert Stuart, who was the official portrait painter of President Washington. His oil paintings inspired a series of engravings, which were distributed both in the United States and abroad, particularly in the first half of the 19th century when the cult perpetuating the example of Washington was widespread.
Carl L. Crossman published his seminal study, The China Trade, in 1972. He described the various Chinese artists who executed Washington portraits as commissions from American ship captains, who traded with Chinese merchants. It is well documented that two portraits of Washington by Gilbert Stuart were taken to China. This example, a reverse painting on glass, is of superb quality and is the same size as the Stuart canvas from which it was copied. The style is popularly referred to the "Athenaeum" portrait style, because it related to a painting commissioned by the Boston Athenaeum.
Further, it has been suggested that this particular Washington portrait was painted by Foeiqua, a prominent native artist active in China at the beginning of the 19th century. In fact, Stuart went to court to prevent the importation of these reverse paintings, as they were of such high quality and thus extremely popular. The issue of intellectual copyrights remains one of the most troublesome issues in our trade relations with China, as many artists, particularly musicians and filmmakers, claim that their work is being pirated in China today.
The portrait, a generous gift recently received from Caroline Dealey, is further enhanced by its attractive 19th century American gold leaf frame.
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