Etching? Lithographic engraving print of George Washington. May or may not be a French version of the painting as inferred by attached note. Appears to be similar to etching done by James Heath in London. Print appears trimmed from the front but may still be complete behind the matte, so we cannot see if it is a Heath attributable version. This version is much darker than the current version on eBay.
1800, Engraving by James Heath, "General Washington," after a Painting by Gilbert Stuart.This famous engraving of George Washington was made from the "Lansdowne" portrait, one of three famous portrait types made by painter Gilbert Stuart. It was a large, elegant, full-length version and was sent to the Marquis of Lansdowne by a wealthy Philadelphian, William Bingham. (The other two types were called the "Vaughan" and the "Athenaeum.") The "Lansdowne" likeness was first engraved in London by James Heath and published on January 1, 1800. It was exported to and widely advertised in America. Stuart, who had planned to publish a print himself, was furious and placed notices in newspapers in several cities (See "George Washington: An American Icon," pp. 59-60). The engraving offered here shows Washington in civilian clothes, but holding his sword, and gesturing towards a table, under which are several books, one of them his "General Orders." The leg of the table is in the form of a fasces (bundled sticks, in this case referring to strength in unity), with an eagle at the top holding arrows in its talon. Original print area size 19.75" x 13"
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