American Citizens Abroad Global Foundation – ACA Holiday 2015 Online Auction Fundraiser
Auction Ends: Dec 15, 2015 11:59 PM EST

Art

Framed Print of Edward Savage Portrait of George Washington and His Family

Item Number
105
Estimated Value
200 USD
Opening Bid
50 USD

Item Description

This is a framed black and white print of a famous life-sized portrait of George Washington and his family, painted by Edward Savage, finished in 1796 and now hanging in the National Gallery of Art in Washington D.C.  The size of the frame is about 30 inches in length and 25 inches in height.  The frame is a simple narrow black wooden frame with a slight gold insert.

When George Washington married Martha Custis, she was a wealthy widow. In 1781 the couple adopted her orphaned grandchildren, Eleanor and George. Edward Savage's nine-foot-wide picture is the only group portrait developed from life sittings of America's first "First Family." In 1789-1790 the Washingtons posed for studies in New York City.

From 1791 to 1794 Savage lived in London and did not resume work on the huge oil painting until he returned to the United States. On 20 February 1796 he advertised The Washington Family as the main attraction at the Columbian Gallery, his private museum in Philadelphia, where visitors could see "The President and Family, the full size of life." Engravings after this image earned the artist a fortune, as did the entrance fees collected from his frequent exhibitions of the canvas.

Item Special Note

Shipping cost from Geneva, Switzerland to the winning bidder is to be paid by the bidder, in addition to the winning bid amount.