Artwork
Gen. U.S. Grant
Gen. U.S. Grant is an ink print by the Impressionist artist William Edgar Marshall. It dates from 1868 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Gen.
About this work
Overview
Gen. U.S. Grant is an 1868 engraving by William Edgar Marshall, portraying the likeness of Ulysses S. Grant in meticulous detail.
Subject & Meaning
The engraving captures General U.S. Grant in a somber, slightly profiled pose, conveying a sense of gravity and seriousness through his expression.
Technique & Style
Marshall employed fine lines, cross-hatching, and subtle shading to achieve a high level of realism, rendering the textures of Grant's face, uniform, and even the wrinkles on his forehead with remarkable clarity.
History & Provenance
Created in 1868, this engraving was widely disseminated through newspapers and books, playing a significant role in disseminating Grant's image nationwide during his contemporaneous prominence.
Context
As a print, it exemplifies the 19th-century practice of using engravings for mass reproduction of notable figures' likenesses, facilitating public familiarity with celebrities of the time.
Artist & collection
