Painting

Title:

George Washington

Object Name:

Painting

Object ID:

1966.060

Creator:

Prior, William Matthew (1806-1873)Artist

Place of Origin:

Boston, MA

Date:

circa 1862

Description:

Portrait of George Washington (1732-1799), by William Matthew Prior (1806-1873), c. 1862. Reverse painting on glass bust-length portrait of President Washington, facing slightly right. SItter has blue eyes, and white hair. He is wearing a white-gray cravat and frill, black waistcoat and coat with three buttons showing. Black and gray background. Unsigned. Gilded gesso over molded wood frame.

Material:

Glass

Dimensions:

H-21.5 W-16.5 inches

Provenance:

Bequeathed by Benjamin F. Prescott (1879-1965) of Milford, NH, representative at the 1918 and 1948 state constitutional conventions. He was the son of NH Gov. Benjamin F. Prescott (1833-1894). Gov. Prescott was a president of the New Hampshire Historical Society.

This portrait was based on the 1796 Gilbert Stuart portrait of Washington acquired by the Boston Athenaeum in 1828. Prior received permission from the Athenaeum to make a direct copy of Stuart's portrait. This served as a model for many copies produced by Prior until his death in 1873.

Credit Line:

Bequest of Benjamin F. Prescott

People:

Prescott, Benjamin F. (1833-1895), Prior, William Matthew (1806-1873), Washington, George (1732-1799), Prescott, Benjamin F. (1879-1965)

Subjects:

Washington, George, Presidents, Portrait paintings, Portraits