"Sacred to the Memory of the Illustrious Champion of Liberty General George Washington" Engraving by John Donlevy, 1840
Presented is a George Washington memorial engraving by John I. Donlevy. Titled “Sacred to the Memory of the Illustrious Champion of Liberty, General George Washington, First President of the United States,” this stipple engraving has a large portrait of Washington at center, surrounded by elaborate calligraphic decoration and text. The engraving was first published in 1838; this is the second state published in 1870.
After Washington’s death in 1799, many engravers and publishers rushed to create prints of Washington’s likeness for the grieving populace. Washington “had played such a central role in the extraordinary events of a quarter century that his death was an event of great emotional consequence in America, affecting the very identity of the nation… In honoring Washington the nation was honoring its own history” (Wick, 70). The memorial prints served to remember Washington for his accomplishments, great vision, and character, and to urge the populace to emulate the traits of their lost leader. Engravers surrounded their portraits with poems, allegorical elements, and symbols of the man’s greatness, as well as the rich imagery found in mourning art- the obelisk, urn, angels, and weeping figures. The prints were beautifully ornate and celebratory portraits of their lost leader.
One such tribute is this calligraphic engraving by John I. Donlevy, intaglio-chromographic and electrographic engraver. Within an elaborate oval penmanship border is a stipple-engraved portrait of Washington. The portrait is based on Stuart’s Athenaeum painting, with the bust done in swirls. The lettering is executed in the typical variety of styles with cursive flourishes, shadows, italics, and blackletter. Above the portraits is an engraved eagle, with laurel and the American flag in its beak and arrows clutched in its talons. The result is a stunning and artful memorial to our first President.
CONDITION:
Very good condition. Paper is healthy, with good margins and very minimal toning. Stipple engraving, strong impression, with plate mark. Ink has not faded.
Engraving is archivally framed in a custom-built wooden frame with acid-free mats and UV glass.
Framed Dimensions: 23 1/4"H x 20 1/4"W x 1 1/4"D.
Accompanied by our company’s letter of authenticity.
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"Sacred to the Memory of the Illustrious Champion of Liberty General George Washington" Engraving by John Donlevy, 1840
Colorado
1 Lake Avenue
Colorado Springs CO 80906
United States
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