Artwork
The American Star (George Washington)
The American Star (George Washington) is an oil painting by the American Folk Art artist Frederick Kemmelmeyer. It dates from 1803 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
By merging human likeness with national symbol, the work elevates Washington from individual subject to symbolic embodiment of the country he helped establish.
The American Star presents a composite allegorical portrait in which George Washington, the first President of the United States, is paired with a bald eagle, the national bird of the United States. The pairing unites a recognizable likeness of the founding leader with an emblem long associated with American sovereignty, signaling Washington's role as the central figure of the new republic. The painting functions as a portrait of Washington while simultaneously functioning as a patriotic emblem, with the eagle reinforcing themes of national identity, strength, and independence.
By merging human likeness with national symbol, the work elevates Washington from individual subject to symbolic embodiment of the country he helped establish.
Technique & Style
The work is executed in oil pigment applied to a paper support, with selective application of gold leaf to highlight the eagle motif that accompanies the portrait of George Washington. The painting measures approximately 55.9 cm in height by 45.1 cm in width and was completed in 1803, as recorded in the documented provenance. The use of gold leaf serves both decorative and symbolic functions, reinforcing the neoclassical emphasis on allegorical elements.
The surface exhibits a relatively flat pictorial space typical of early American portraiture, while the composition balances the figure with the bird, creating a formal balance between subject and emblem. The work is housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where its condition has been assessed as stable, with the paper support showing minimal degradation.
History & Provenance
Painted in 1803, The American Star (George Washington) was created by Frederick Kemmelmeyer as an oil and gold-leaf composition on paper. The work was later acquired by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it remains in the collection. Documentation from the museum’s records confirms the 1803 date and the artist’s authorship, situating the painting within Kemmelmeyer’s early nineteenth-century output.
Overview
Frederick Kemmelmeyer, an artist working without formal training, created The American Star (George Washington) around 1803. This work, rendered in oil and gold leaf on paper, exemplifies the American folk art tradition of the early 19th century. It presents a portrait of George Washington, prominently featuring an eagle, reflecting the visual culture of its time.
Artist & collection
Artist
Frederick Kemmelmeyer (c. 1755 – c. 1821) was an American painter. He was entirely self-taught and his work is generally classified as folk art.
