Description:

Washington George



George Washington engraving as a Mason 

Hand-Colored Engraving of George Washington, 4.25" x 6.25" visible, by John A. O'Neill after the painting by William Joseph Williams (1759 - 1823) and titled below: "Engraved from the Portrait painted from life by Williams for Alexandria Washington Lodge No. 22 Virginia 1794" [c. 1866. A superb and accurate rendering of Washington as a mason with his sash hand-colored in blue (in two shades to mimic the sheen of fabric), and his masonic medal and sash in red and gilt. Light foxing and toning, housed in a matted gilt frame. Visibly near fine condition.



Washington turned down Williams' first request to sit for a portrait in 1792, remarking to Henry Lee: "I am so heartily tired of the attendance which, from one cause or another, I have bestowed on these kind of people, that it is now more than two years since I have resolved to sit no more for any of them; and have adhered to it; except in instances where it has been requested by public bodies, or for a particular purpose (not of the Painters) and could not, without offence [sic, be refused. I have been led to make this resolution for another reason besides the irksomeness of sitting, and the time I loose by it, which is, that these productions have, in my estimation, been made use of as a sort of tax upon individuals, by being engraved, and that badly, and hawked, or advertised for Sale." In light of Washington's new criteria, Williams offered to paint the President's portrait for the use of he Alexandria Masonic Lodge, No. 22. the following year, and Washington agreed.



The members of the Alexandria Lodge, many of whom knew Washington intimately, commissioned Williams to paint a faithful likeness. Thus we now have an image of Washington as he actually appeared during his lifetime – warts and all. Williams was careful to include a scar over Washington's left cheek, his smallpox scars on his cheeks and nose as well as mole under his right ear. A portrait very unlike many of the idealized portraits Washington had sat for previously, and the only image of Washington as a mason executed in his lifetime.



Very scarce. We have found few examples of this print in institutional or private collections.



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