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General George Washington
ca. 1845
Henry Brintnell Bounetheau
Born: Charleston, South Carolina 1797
Died: Charleston, South Carolina 1877
Copy after John Trumbull
Born: Lebanon, Connecticut 1756
Died: New York, New York 1843
watercolor on ivory
sight 7 x 5 1/8 in. (17.8 x 13.0 cm) rectangle
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Gift of Mrs. Henry Du Pré Bounetheau
1946.3.19
Smithsonian American Art Museum
3rd Floor, Luce Foundation Center
This three-quarter-length view of Washington is adapted from the full-scale painting by John Trumbull, commissioned by the city of Charleston, South Carolina, in 1791 to commemorate Washington’s visit. In the words of the council, the painting was commissioned to "hand down to posterity the remembrance of the man to whom they are so much indebted for the blessings of peace, liberty and independence.” Henry Brintnell Bounetheau and other miniaturists made and sold many small copies of the popular image. Here he omitted the horse and Washington’s aide-de-camp, preferring to concentrate on the general himself. Conservation of this miniature was made possible through a generous grant provided by the Smithsonian Women’s Committee.
For more information about this work visit the Luce Foundation Center.
Keywords
Dress - uniform - military uniform
Occupation - military - general
Portrait male - Washington, George
Portrait male - Washington, George - waist length
painting - miniature
paint - watercolor
ivory
About Henry Brintnell Bounetheau
Born: Charleston, South Carolina 1797 Died: Charleston, South Carolina 1877
About Copy after John Trumbull
Born: Lebanon, Connecticut 1756 Died: New York, New York 1843
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