George Washington
John James Barralet, 1747 - 1815
c. 1800-16
Medium
Classification
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution
Accession Number
NPG.2011.138
Tags
FarmerCongressional Gold MedalGeorge Washington: MaleGeneralRevolutionary WarPresident of USColonial statesmanSurveyorCloudsPortrait
About this artwork
Americans responded to the death of George Washington on December 14, 1799, with an outpouring of oratorical and pictorial tributes. One of the more elaborate mourning prints was this engraving by John James Barralet, called The Apotheosis of Washington in the press and viewed by subscribers around December 19. Drawing on classical, Christian, military, and federal symbolism, Barralet depicted Washington rising from his tomb, assisted by Father Time and Immortality. Mourning at his feet, near th...