Artwork
George Washington
George Washington is an ink print by Max Rosenthal. It dates from 1902 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
This work is a black mezzotint portrait of George Washington, executed by the American printmaker Max Rosenthal in 1902. The image is presented on wove paper, employing a chine collé technique that adheres a thin layer of paper to the surface, enhancing the tonal depth of the print.
Technique & Style
Rosenthal employed the mezzotint process, a labor‑intensive method that creates rich, velvety shadows through a roughened plate subsequently smoothed to produce highlights. The addition of chine collé, a paper‑bonding method, allows finer detail and a smoother finish, characteristic of early twentieth‑century American printmaking.
History & Provenance
Created at the turn of the twentieth century, the print reflects the period’s renewed interest in commemorating founding figures. While specific ownership records are limited, the work has been cited in catalogues of Rosenthal’s oeuvre and appears in collections focusing on American historical portraiture.
Artist & collection
