The Washington Family: George Washington, His Lady, and her Two Grandchildren by the Name of Custis–George Washington, Son Epouse, et Ses Deux petits Enfants du Nom de Custis
Savage based this engraving on his own painting of 1789-96 (now National Gallery, Washington). We are shown the nation's first president and his family gathered at Mount Vernon, their Virginia estate. Dressed in his Revolutionary War uniform, the former general rests one hand on a plan for the new capital city of Washington D.C., resting the other his step-grandson, George Washinton Parke Custis. At the right end of the table, Martha Washington sits near her granddaughter Eleanor Park Custis and a Black servant. The latter has traditionally been identified as William (Billy) Lee, the enslaved valet who attended Washington throughout the Revolutionary War, and then worked at Mount Vernon. Recent research suggests, however, that he may be Christopher Sheets, another enslaved servant. Following the death of their father, Martha's son from her first marriage, the Custis children were raised by their grandmother and step-grandfather. The Potomac River is glimpsed here in the distance, while titles in English and French below the image indicate an anticipated market for this print in France.
Artwork Details
- Title: The Washington Family: George Washington, His Lady, and her Two Grandchildren by the Name of Custis–George Washington, Son Epouse, et Ses Deux petits Enfants du Nom de Custis
- Artist: Designed, engraved and published by Edward Savage (American, Princeton, Massachusetts 1761–1817 Princeton, Massachusetts)
- Publisher: Robert Wilkinson (British, active 1758–1825)
- Sitter: George Washington (American, 1732–1799)
- Sitter: Martha Washington (American, 1731–1802)
- Sitter: George Washington Parke Custis (American, 1781–1857)
- Sitter: Eleanor Parke Custis (American, 1779-1852)
- Sitter: May represent William (Billy) Lee (American, ca. 1750–1810)
- Sitter: May represent Christopher Sheets (American, born ca. 1774)
- Published in: Philadelphia; London
- Date: March 10, 1798
- Medium: Stipple engraving, second state
- Dimensions: image: 18 5/16 x 24 7/16 in. (46.5 x 62 cm)
sheet: 20 1/4 x 25 3/8 in. (51.4 x 64.5 cm) - Classification: Prints
- Credit Line: Gift of William H. Huntington, 1883
- Object Number: 83.2.1
- Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints
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