Apotheosis of George Washington

1830–50

Not on view

The inscription below the image precisely describes the iconography of the scene: Washington is carried to the heavens by Faith and Love, while Hope leads "the way to the seat of bliss." The brightest ray of light emanating from Washington shines down on Columbia and "rays of comfort illuminate the countenance and cheer the bosoms of the Orphan States, dissolving in sorrow at his Tomb."

Artwork Details

Title: Apotheosis of George Washington
Lithographer: Heinrich Weishaupt (German, 1810–1883)
Artist: After Samuel Moore (American?, active 19th century)
Printer: Johann M. von Hermann (Austrian, Vienna 1793–1855 Munich)
Sitter: George Washington (American, 1732–1799)
Date: 1830–50
Medium: Hand-colored lithograph
Dimensions: Image: 23 1/8 x 17 3/4 in. (58.8 x 45.1 cm)
Sheet: 26 1/16 x 19 in. (66.2 x 48.3 cm)
Classification: Prints
Credit Line: Gift of Emily C. Chadbourne, 1952
Object Number: 52.585.66
Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints

More Artwork

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Manuscript Memorandum of George Washington Describing Work to be Done on His Swords, George Washington American, Pen and ink on paper, American — Manuscript Memorandum of George Washington Describing Work to be Done on His Swords
Author George Washington
1779

Self-Portrait, turned slightly to the left, Käthe Kollwitz German, Pen and different shades of gray-black ink — Self-Portrait, turned slightly to the left
Käthe Kollwitz
ca. 1893

Nocturne (Nocturne: The Thames at Battersea), James McNeill Whistler American, Lithotint with scraping on a prepared half-tint ground, printed in soft gray-black ink on pale blue laid chine mounted on ivory wove plate paper; second state of two (Chicago) — Nocturne (Nocturne: The Thames at Battersea)
James McNeill Whistler
1878

Letter from George Washington to New York Governor George Clinton, George Washington American, Ink on paper, American — Letter from George Washington to New York Governor George Clinton
Author George Washington
In the hand of Tench Tilghman
1780

Six Crossbow Bolts, Steel, wood (oak), staghorn, pigment, Central European, possibly German — Six Crossbow Bolts
Central European, possibly German
early 16th century; 14.25.1576g, probably 17th or 18th century

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