Design for the Washington Centennial Celebration, Souvenir

The work is an oil painting on canvas, measuring approximately 50.8 cm high by 40.6 cm wide. Blashfield applied oil paint to a woven support, creating a smooth surface typical of late‑19th‑century academic practice. The composition presents a female figure accompanied by a putto, arranged in a balanced, allegorical grouping that conveys celebratory sentiment.

While the sources record the medium, support, dimensions and iconography, they do not provide details about the artist’s handling technique, brushwork, or the painting’s current condition.

The painting titled Design for the Washington Centennial Celebration, Souvenir was created by Edwin Blashfield in 1889. Executed in oil paint on canvas, the work measures 50.8 cm in height and 40.6 cm in width. The piece depicts a woman and a putto, elements associated with the commemorative theme of the 1889 Washington Centennial.

While the specific commissioning details are not fully elaborated in the available records, the work is firmly dated to January 1, 1889, aligning with the centennial year of George Washington's inauguration. The Metropolitan Museum of Art currently holds the painting in its collection, serving as the primary repository for this historical design. The artwork's provenance traces directly to its creation by Blashfield and its subsequent acquisition by the museum, where it remains cataloged as a significant example of late 19th-century American commemorative art.

The 1889 oil‑on‑canvas painting commissioned for the Washington Centennial Celebration was created by Edwin Blashfield and later entered the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection. Its depiction of a woman alongside a putto reflects the allegorical style of the period and has been cited in studies of late‑19th‑century American decorative art. As a work held by a premier institution, it continues to be referenced in scholarship on centennial iconography and Blashfield’s oeuvre, reinforcing its reputation as a notable example of commemorative painting.

Edwin Blashfield, an American painter recognized for his large-scale mural commissions, created Design for the Washington Centennial Celebration, Souvenir in 1895. This oil painting presents an allegorical scene featuring a woman, a putto, and a bust of George Washington. The work, which reflects the celebratory spirit of its subject, is part of the collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Created in 1895, this painting by Edwin Blashfield references the centennial of George Washington's inauguration, which occurred in 1889. Blashfield, known for his monumental public art, including dome murals for the Library of Congress, often engaged with historical and allegorical themes. This particular piece, designated as a "souvenir design," reflects the widespread national interest in honoring foundational American figures and events during the late 19th century.