Artwork

George Washington

George Washington, by William Edgar Marshall, ink, 1862
George Washington, by William Edgar Marshall, ink, 1862

George Washington is an ink print by the Impressionist artist William Edgar Marshall. It dates from 1862 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

This engraving, created by William Edgar Marshall in 1862, is a portrait of George Washington.

Subject & Meaning

The engraving depicts George Washington in profile, facing right, conveying a sense of dignity and gravitas.

Technique & Style

The image features crisp, deep lines achieved through the engraving process on paperboard, with cross-hatching used to create a range of tonal values in the background.

History & Provenance

Engravings like this one were a common means of disseminating Washington's image in the 19th century, with multiple prints made for publication in books and newspapers.

Context

The work is an example of how prints were used to widely circulate images of notable figures during this period.

Artist & collection

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.