Artwork
George Washington at Princeton
George Washington at Princeton is an unspecified painting by the American Impressionist artist Charles Willson Peale. It dates from 1779 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
George Washington at Princeton is a painting by Charles Willson Peale depicting a pivotal moment in the American Revolutionary War.
Subject & Meaning
The painting shows General George Washington on horseback after the Battle of Princeton, accompanied by a groom and a line of captured British soldiers. The groom is possibly William Lee, an enslaved man who served as Washington's personal assistant.
Technique & Style
Peale's personal acquaintance with Washington lends a sense of realism to the general's portrayal. The composition captures a quiet, humanizing moment amidst the aftermath of battle.
History & Provenance
Peale produced multiple versions of this painting, some commissioned by American colonists and others by Washington's admirers in Europe and the Caribbean.
Artist & collection
Artist
Charles Willson Peale (April 15, 1741 – February 22, 1827) was an American painter, military officer, scientist, and naturalist.
