Edward Savage
The Washington Family

Public Domain

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Artist Edward Savage American, 1761–1817

Publisher Edward Savage American, 1761–1817

Publisher Robert WilkinsonLondon

CultureAmerican

Titles

The Washington Family
La Famille de Washington

Date1798

PlacePhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

MediumStipple engraving and line-cut engraving on wove paper

DimensionsPlate: 19 7/8 × 25 3/4 in. (50.5 × 65.4 cm)
Sheet: 21 7/8 × 26 5/8 in. (55.6 × 67.6 cm)
Mat: 26 1/2 × 31 1/2 in. (67.3 × 80 cm)

Credit LineThe Bayou Bend Collection, museum purchase funded by Robert New and Hibernia Bank in honor of Ted Bauer and the University of Houston at "One Great Night in November, 2004"

Object numberB.2004.41

Not on view

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Department

Bayou Bend

Object Type

PRINTS

Description“It is noteworthy that every American considers it his sacred duty to have a likeness of Washington in his home,” observed Paul Svinin, a Russian diplomat who traveled across the United States at the beginning of the nineteenth century. One of the most compelling portraits of George Washington is Edward Savage’s composition of the General with members of his family at Mount Vernon. The engraving is based on Savage’s monumental group portrait, now at the National Gallery of Art, and is believed to have been completed shortly after he left Philadelphia for London. The work depicts General and Mrs. Washington with her grandchildren and Washington’s enslaved manservant, or valet, William (Billy) Lee. Spread across the table before them is a map of the future capitol, Washington, D.C. The popularity of Savage’s engraving was widespread, and it soon was celebrated as a part of our national imagery.
Provenance[The Old Print Shop, New York]; purchased by MFAH, 2004.
Exhibition History"Exhibited As We Are: Fighting Racism with Art in the Age of Slavery,” Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, Bayou Bend, April 29–August 16, 2015.

"Radicals and Revolutionaries: America's Founding Fathers," Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, March 10–May 28, 2018.
Inscriptions, Signatures and Marks

Recto: Inscribed in printed ink, below plate, center: Printed & Engraved by E: Savage.
Recto: Inscribed in printed ink, below plate, center left: The WASHINGTON FAMILY. / George Washington his Lady, and her two Grandchildren by the name of Custis.
Recto: Inscribed in printed ink, below plate, center right: La FAMILLE de WASHINGTON. / George Washington, Son Epouse., et Les deux petits Enfants du Nom de Custis"
Recto: Inscribed in printed ink, below plate, center bottom edge: Philadelphia, Publish'd March 10th 1798. by E: Savage & Rob.t Wilkinson N.o 58 Cornhill London.

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