General Washington

Art Historical Context

Behold *General Washington*, a striking mezzotint engraving by the renowned British printmaker Valentine Green, published on January 15, 1781. Created after a portrait by American artist John Trumbull this first state of two captures George Washington at the height of the American Revolution, portraying him as the steadfast commander of the Continental Army. Measuring nearly 25 by 16 inches on the plate, its grand scale underscores the hero's larger-than-life status. Mezzotint, Green's specialty, revolutionized printmaking with its velvety blacks and subtle gradations, mimicking the richness of oil painting. This technique allowed detailed reproductions of portraits to reach wide audiences across the Atlantic, disseminating Washington's image during a pivotal war year—mere months after victories at Trenton and Princeton, yet amid ongoing struggles. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department (bequest of Charles Allen Munn, 1924), this work symbolizes transatlantic fascination with the Revolution. It not only honors a founding father but also highlights printmaking's role in shaping national identity, bridging art and history for generations of admirers.

About the Artist

Valentine Green|Valentine Green|George Washington|John Trumbull · 1739–1813

**Valentine Green (1739–1813)** was a leading British mezzotint engraver and print publisher whose work helped elevate the medium’s status in 18th-century Britain. Born on 3 October 1739 in Salford Priors near Evesham, Warwickshire, he initially trained for the law but abandoned it after two years in a solicitor’s office. He then studied line engraving under Robert Hancock in Worcester before movi...