George Washington Engraving and Continental Army Officer's Button, circa 1776

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George Washington Engraving and Continental Army Officer's Button, circa 1776

About the Item

This is a hand-colored engraving by Jean N. Laugier, after the original oil painting by Leon Cogniet. The 1839 original, 1st edition engraving has been archivally treated and backed onto to linen. Titled Washington in the bottom margin with publication information. The engraving depicts George Washington, his horse “Old Nelson” and a groom or valet. The unidentified scene may be Yorktown, site of the final major battle of the Revolutionary War. Washington stands in full uniform atop a promontory. His groom steadies the general's white steed. A cannon points towards a redoubt (possibly Number Ten on Gloucester Point) which has been reduced to smoldering ruins. The clouds are overcast, but more so seaward, symbolizing the threat from England and her celebrated navy. In fact, the fate of Cornwallis was doomed when a combined British fleet failed to destroy the French fleet commanded by Admiral de Grasse and were forced to return to New York. Léon Cogniet (1794-1880) was a French painter of the Romantic school who specialized in portraits and historical subjects. In 1812, he entered the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris, where he studied under Pierre-Narcisse Guérin at the same time as Delacroix and Géricault. He was a resident at the Villa Medici, in Rome, from 1817 to 1822. Like many historical painters, his works were issued as engravings for sale to the general public — this being one of the very first original engravings. Washington Parke Custis, step-grandson and adopted son of the General, considered the engraving one of his favorite of his famous step-grandfather. The painter may have been inspired to choose this subject in light of the decisive role played by French forces. It is believed that Cogniet copied Washington’s head from the original “Virginia Regiment” portrait by Gilbert Stuart, which was painted from life in 1796 - and the source of the “flopped” image of Washington we find on the current one dollar bill. G.W. Parke Custis wrote that Washington's "matchless limbs" were rarely portrayed well, and singled out Jean Nicolas Laugier's 1839 engraving of the Cogniet painting (along with a portrait by Trumbull) as being two of the better examples. The 1839 engraving has been presented with a piece of historical DNA — a Revolutionary War Continental Army Officer’s Artillery Uniform Button. This pewter button dates to the birth of our nation — 1776, and depicts an artillery piece with the “Grand Union” Flag flying above the cannon. The Grand Union flag is one of the earliest flags of the Continental Army and pre-dates the use of stars on our nation’s flags. Together a truly unique, one-of-a-kind piece of history. Unframed Size: 32”x 26” Framed Size: 41"x 35"

Dimensions:
Height: 41 in (104.14 cm)Width: 35 in (88.9 cm)Depth: 3.5 in (8.89 cm)
Place of Origin:
North America
Period:
Late 18th Century
Date of Manufacture:
1776-1839
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use.
Seller Location:
Colorado Springs, CO
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU90973134472