The Washington Family
The Washington Family by Edward Savage is a life-size group portrait of the first US president George Washington , the First Lady Martha Washington and two of her grandchildren and enslaved servant. Based on studies of the early Washington presidency, Savage began work in New York City , 1789–90, and completed his work a few years later in Philadelphia, 1795–1796. The huge painting (7 × 9 ft. Ft. 4 inches / 213 cm × 284 cm) hangs today in the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC
The picture became famous in the 19th century. From 1798 Savage produced prints of it in large quantities and from 1840 by John Sartain.
The scene of the painting is idealized: the Potomac River flows in the background, the First Lady points to a map showing the location of the future capital Washington DC. Shown from left to right are: grandson George Washington Parke Custis , George Washington, granddaughter Eleanor Parke Custis Lewis , Martha Washington and an enslaved servant (probably Christopher Sheels ).
Individual evidence
- ↑ Savage lived in London from 1791 to 1794 and finished the painting on his return to the USA.
- ↑ The Washington Family ( Memento of the original from January 14, 2009 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. at National Gallery of Art
- ^ The New York Times , December 30, 1892. [1]
- ↑ New York City was the capital of the United States from 1789 to 1790. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania served as the temporary capital from 1790 to 1800 while Washington DC was being built.
