Artwork
George Washington
George Washington is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Max Rosenthal. It dates from 1899 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Max Rosenthal’s 1899 mezzotint presents a profile portrait of George Washington, rendered from the chest upward. The figure faces right, his hair gathered in a low ponytail and crowned with a laurel wreath. Set against an entirely black background, the image relies on stark tonal contrasts to define the subject’s features and attire.
Subject & Meaning
The work isolates Washington in a dignified pose, emphasizing his leadership through classical symbolism. The laurel wreath, a traditional emblem of triumph, links the first American president to the ideals of ancient republican virtue, while the profile view evokes the conventions of 18th‑century coinage and portraiture.
Technique & Style
Executed as a mezzotint on wove paper with a chine collé backing, the print exploits the medium’s capacity for rich, velvety blacks and subtle gradations. Rosenthal employs chiaroscuro, using pronounced light‑dark juxtapositions to model Washington’s face and clothing, achieving a three‑dimensional effect within a realistic, detail‑focused style.
History & Provenance
Created at the close of the 19th century, the print reflects Rosenthal’s interest in commemorating national figures through fine printmaking. While specific ownership records are limited, the piece has been catalogued among Rosenthal’s late works and appears in collections that document American historical portraiture.
Artist & collection
