General Washington

London: James Heath. unbound. Uncolored engraving. Image measures 22" x 14". Scattered foxing to margins and some closed tears.<br/> <br/> This elegant portrait of George Washington is based on a famous 1796 painting by Gilbert Stuart. Known as the Lansdowne Portrait, as it was owned by the Marquis of Lansdowne, it features a standing Washington surrounded by objects relating to his public life.<br> <br> Heath acquired permission to engrave the painting from the Marquis, but supposedly failed to consult Stuart before publishing it. He also, either erroneously or by design, identified the painter as 'Gabriel Stuart'. Stuart, distressed about the loss of artistic control and perhaps also the loss of income, publicly complained. He supposedly also drafted a letter to Lansdowne which was never sent. For the rest of his life, Stuart was distressed about other possible unauthorized versions of his portrait. As far as Heath was concerned, this probably became one of his most well known portrait engraving.<br> <br> James Heath (1757 - 1834) was a London based stipple and line engraver who engraved book illustrations for prominent publishers of the time. He is also known for issuing prints of famous painters, including John Singleton Copley's "Death of Major Peirson", as well as re-engraving William Hogarth's plates. He was also the Historical Engraver to His Majesty from 1793 to 1834.<br/> <br/>