Auction Closing: February 15, 2025 at 11:59 PM Pacific Time
Lot Number: 68
Estimate Range: $2,500 - $3,500
“General Washington.” by Valentine Green, January 15th, 1781 Engraved Portrait of Washington and Servant Billy Lee

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January 15th, 1781-Dated Revolutionary War Period, Engraved Portrait titled, GENERAL WASHINGTON., after John Trumbull, by Valentine Green, January 15th, 1781, London, of Washington and his loyal Servant Billy Lee, Framed, Very Fine.

General Washington. London, by Valentine Green, January 15th, 1781, after John Trumbull,

Mezzotint on heavy artists paper, measuring 25” x 16” (by sight), professionally matted and framed under glass to fully 32.5” x 24”. An old vintage dealer tag on the reverse backing paper is from Doll & Richards, Inc., Newbury St., Boston. Slightly trimmed at bottom with lower platemark intact, a few well sealed splits in the margin, two touching the image and overall very attractive. This classic Revolutionary War Period Engraved Portrait of the Continental Army Commanding General George Washington and his servant Billy Lee is by Valentine Green who created this Messotint, one of the first portraits seen by most Europeans, being based after a painting by artist John Trumbull. Trumbull had been General Washington's second personal Aide-de-camp until he resigned from his post in 1777. This was his first portrait of General Washington, remarkably created from memory, painted in 1780. This popular historic engraving is considered an important addition to any Revolutionary War or George Washington related collection. Professionally matted and framed as shown, ready to hang on display.

References See: Stan V. Henkels, The Hampton L. Carson Collection Catalogue of Engraved Portraits (Philadelphia, 1804), no. 906; William S. Baker, The Engraved Portraits of Washington (Philadelphia, 1880), no. 147; Charles Henry Hart, Catalogue of the Engraved Portraits of Washington (New York, 1904), no. 84; Suzy Wetzel Grote, "Engravings of George Washington in the Stanley DeForest Scott Collection," The Magazine Antiques (July, 1977), page 131, fig 12; and Wendy Wick Reaves, George Washington, An American Icon: The Eighteenth Century Portraits, exhibition catalogue, The Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service and the National Portrait Gallery (Washington DC, 1982), page 27, figure 14.