The American Star (George Washington)

Art Historical Context

Frederick Kemmelmeyer, a-based folk artist active in the 18th and early 19th centuries, craftedThe American Star (George)* around 1803. This patriotic portrait elevates George Washington, the revered first president who died in 1799, as a radiant "star" of the young republic. Surrounded by soaring eagles—enduring symbols of American freedom and strength—the composition bursts with national fervor, reflecting the era's zeal for heroic imagery in a post-Revolutionary United States. Kemmelmeyer's folk style, characterized by bold symbolism and vibrant colors, captures the democratic spirit without classical refinement, making art accessible to everyday citizens. The unusual medium of oil and gold leaf on paper adds a luxurious glow; the gold leaf evokes celestial stars and divine favor, mimicking grander oil-on-canvas works while remaining affordable and portable. Measuring 22 x 17 3/4 inches, it exemplifies early American visual culture's blend of reverence and exuberance. Now in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's American Wing, thanks to the 1962 gift from Edgar William and Bernice Chrysler Garbisch, this piece invites visitors to ponder how such folk treasures helped forge a shared national identity.