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George Washington

Albert Rosenthal

1898

From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art

Impressionism Realism Late 19th Century Portrait

Dominant colour

George Washington is a 1898 by Albert Rosenthal, a Impressionism work, held at Cleveland Museum of Art.

Who painted this?: Albert Rosenthal
When & what style?: 1898 · Impressionism
Where can I see it?: Cleveland Museum of Art

About this work

This is a black-and-white sketch of a man in a military jacket with a high collar. His face is serious, and he’s framed by a decorative oval border. Below the image, there’s handwritten text that reads “Penciled Sketch of General Washington—from life taken by Chas. Willson Peale 1787.” The artist later copied this sketch in 1898, turning it into this etched version. Notice how the lines are simple but precise, focusing on the man’s strong features. If you like this style, check out Realism for more portraits that prioritize truthful details over fancy effects.