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George Washington

James Peale American
ca. 1782
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 774
James helped his elder brother Charles Willson Peale make replicas of his popular full-length portrait of Washington, commissioned in 1779 by the state of Pennsylvania. (A version of Charles' Washington portrait, 97.33, is also in the Met's collection.) The bright color and clean outlines of this small version are characteristic of James's style. After the Continental forces, assisted by the French, had triumphed over the British at Yorktown in 1781, James Peale sketched the battle site, including here a view of the harbor showing the protruding masts of sunken ships. The French and the American flags fly above the general's head and the banners of the conquered lie at his feet.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: George Washington
  • Artist: James Peale (American, Chestertown, Maryland 1749–1831 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
  • Date: ca. 1782
  • Culture: American
  • Medium: Oil on canvas
  • Dimensions: 36 x 27 in. (91.4 x 68.6 cm)
  • Credit Line: Bequest of William H. Huntington, 1885
  • Object Number: 85.1
  • Curatorial Department: The American Wing

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Mrs. Joseph Cooper (Mary Justice), James Peale American, Watercolor on ivory, American
Mrs. Joseph Cooper (Mary Justice)
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Curtis Clay, James Peale American, Watercolor on ivory, American
Curtis Clay
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1798
William Young, James Peale American, Watercolor on ivory, American
William Young
James Peale
1807
Portrait of a Lady, James Peale American, Watercolor on ivory, American
Portrait of a Lady
James Peale
ca. 1800
Portrait of a Gentleman, James Peale American, Watercolor on ivory, American
Portrait of a Gentleman
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1794

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