Artwork
George Washington at Princeton
George Washington at Princeton is an oil painting by the American Impressionist artist Charles Willson Peale. It dates from 1790 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Technique & Style
Attributed to the workshop of Charles Willson Peale, the artwork represents a version of the artist's portrait of George Washington at Princeton.
Created in 1790, this work is an oil painting executed on canvas. The piece measures 131.0 cm in height and 121.6 cm in width. Attributed to the workshop of Charles Willson Peale, the artwork represents a version of the artist's portrait of George Washington at Princeton.
The composition was produced in the United States during the late eighteenth century. While specific details regarding surface condition, handling history, or distinct stylistic maneuvers are not provided in the available records, the physical construction relies on traditional oil mediums applied to a woven fabric support.
History & Provenance
Charles Willson Peale's George Washington at Princeton is dated 1790, an oil on canvas work measuring 131.0 cm by 121.6 cm. The painting is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it remains on view.
Overview
Charles Willson Peale’s 1790 oil painting titled George Washington at Princeton portrays the future president in a military pose. The canvas, now part of the Cleveland Museum of Art’s collection, measures the figure against a backdrop of soldiers, a horse and a flag, capturing a moment associated with the Revolutionary War.
Subject & Meaning
The central figure, dressed in a blue coat trimmed with gold, white waistcoat and tan breeches, rests his left hand on a cannon while his right hand rests on his hip, conveying authority and resolve. The surrounding troops in red uniforms and the flag bearing stars reinforce the theme of leadership during the pivotal Princeton campaign.
Context
Created during a period when the new nation sought visual symbols of its founders, the work reflects contemporary interest in commemorating Washington’s military achievements. Peale’s own experience as a soldier and naturalist informed his realistic rendering of uniform details and battlefield elements, aligning the portrait with early American patriotic art.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Charles Willson Peale (April 15, 1741 – February 22, 1827) was an American painter, military officer, scientist, and naturalist.
