In his effort to depict Washington in his three roles as general, statesman, and patriarch Savage draws on canonical portraits of Washington fulfilling these roles. Works by other portraitists such as Charles Wilson Peale show Washington in the vicinity of a battlefield in uniform. These portraits highlight his leadership qualities and bravery. They follow conventions of war portraiture found in both the colonies and in Europe at the time, such as George Washington at the Battle of Princeton by Charles Wilson Peale. (Fig. 4) Practices in Washington portraiture shifted after the war when we enter his role of a statesman. Instead of bold uniforms and military settings, portraits like the Athenaeum Portrait of George Washington by Gilbert Stuart …show more content…
highlight Washington’s intellect and humility. (Fig. 5) In comparison to the gaudy portraits of British monarchs, portraits of the first president depict him in humble attire and focus on their ability to rule via skill rather than divine right, like we see in portraits of monarchs like George III, such as the one by Allan Ramsey to commemorate his coronation. (Fig. 6) Depictions of George Washington as general and statesman where integral to formulating the public’s perception of him during his time in the military and political spheres. Drawing on these practices allows for Savage’s depiction to place itself in a similar level of importance, but adds in the role of patriarch along with the public’s traditional view of the first president. This allows Savage to depict Washington fulfilling everyone’s expectations and fulfill expectations of depictions of him, while still maintaining his role in the domestic sphere. No other depiction of him made during his lifetime placed him in this domestic setting. In decades and centuries to come, Savage’s work would inspire a large collection of works focusing on the Washingtons’ home life. However, none of these later works would be created from life like Savage was able to. He set a new president for the way we view the first family and later depictions to come. While the family is clearly the focus of the work, it is important to address the single person of color in the painting: the servant in the corner. His presence not only helps to situate the location in Virginia and at Mount Vernon, but also speaks to an important aspect of Washington’s private life: his plantation. Although many try to ignore the fact today, the nation’s first president owned and used slaves both at his home in Mount Vernon and in the Presidential estates he lived in during his time in office. The debate over slavery started long before the Civil War; many of Washington’s political adversaries criticized his use of enslaved people on his land. However, this was simply an aspect of Washington’s life. Including the figure of Billy Lee or Christopher Sheels in the background speaks to this aspect of Washington’s private life. It can also be said that this depiction also speaks to the nation’s views of black individuals at this time as well. The figure stands in a very dignified pose but is designed to blend into the background. The colors of his clothing results in the man blending into the shadows and fabric of the scene. This connects the figure to the setting and thus turns him into an object in the background. We see nothing of his personality nor are we really able to make out any discernable features. The man simply acts as an object within the scene and is not to be confused as a member of the family unit, just a fixture in the household. It is also interesting to note his placement on the right side of the canvas. When laying out the figures in the work, Savage placed both George Washington ton and his adoptive son on the left and the women on the right. This clearly divides the two genders by separating them in the composition. What makes it interesting is the choice to place the slave behind the women, thus separating this man from the other masculine identities in the room. Instead, he is associated with the feminine and the domestic. As a house slave, Sheels or Lee would have been confined to the house just like their female mistresses. Thus, by placing the figure on the “female” side of the canvas, Savage positions him within the domestic sphere and separates him from his white, male counterparts. Savage’s work depicting Washington as the patriarch of his family can be closely related to public perception of him during his military and political career.
It was actually during Washington’s lifetime that the title of “father” began to be used in relation to the man and the country. In 1776, some addressed him as “our political father” in a letter and in 1778, an almanac called him the “Father of His Country.” Therefore, imagining Washington as a father figure to the United States was a common practice by the time Savage created his work. Historian and biographer, Richard Brookhiser explores this idea in his book Founding Father. In it, he speculates the effect the term and social entity of “fatherhood” might have had on Washington by examining the father figures in his own life and lack of biological offspring. Though Washington never commented for or against the title, it is plausible to assume that this association of fatherhood might have influenced his relationships and actions. By painting Washington in his private life and in a father like role, Savage draws on the opinions of the public and reinforces this image of Washington in his …show more content…
work. Brookhiser discusses the three groups of surrogate offspring Washington created for himself: his adoptive, his younger military staff and presidential cabinet (whom he referred to as his family), and the American people. If we apply his theory of Washington’s fatherhood to Savage’s The Washington Family, then all three surrogate families are included within the work. Washington’s step children and grandchildren are included in the portraits. His uniform and documents allude to his staff and cabinet. Lastly, the intentional print popularity of the work brings the American people into the equation. By possessing a version of this portrait of the first family in a domestic setting, the owner associates themselves with the group in their own domestic setting. By applying Brookhiser’s research to the Savage work, we another possible explanation for depicting Washington as general, statesman, and patriarch in one work. In Savage’s depiction of George Washington in his work, The Washington Family, we see the first president occupying three roles.
Drawing on recognizable conventions in portraiture, Washington is shown as a general and a statesman. Savage also establishes a new presedent by visualizing the first president in a patriarchal role. By placing him in the domestic context of his own home with his family surrounding him, Washington becomes the vision of fatherhood, despite not fathering any children of his own. By including this aspect of Washington’s identity in his work, Savage draws on the popular metaphor of Washington being the “Father of Our Nation,” a notion established before the nation in question even existed. Though his skill as a painter is lacking compared in this work compared to contemporaneous family portraits, this image had an extremely popular exhibition and an even more popular life as a print. Published at the end of Washington’s time as president, the work stands as a testament to the role Washington play in the early days of the United States while also commemorating his long awaited return to his private life at Mount
Vernon.
On Saturday, March 15, 2014, I visited the Metropolitan Museum in New York. The gallery #753, which is a part of so-called American Wing, features oil paintings of the revolutionary period in America. The paintings seen in this gallery celebrate heroes and hard-fought battles of the new nation. The most popular type of painting of that time remained portraiture. Portraits in extremely large numbers figured in interiors, where they were arranged to convey not only domestic, but political messages as well. Hence, it is natural, that such iconic figure like George Washington became a model for numerous artists of that era, including Gilbert Stuart and Charles Willson Peale, for whom Washington actually sat. Two exceptional portraits of Washington, the general and the the first President of the United States are highlighted in this paper.
However, the author 's interpretations of Jefferson 's decisions and their connection to modern politics are intriguing, to say the least. In 1774, Jefferson penned A Summary View of the Rights of British America and, later, in 1775, drafted the Declaration of the Causes and Necessity of Taking Up Arms (Ellis 32-44). According to Ellis, the documents act as proof that Jefferson was insensitive to the constitutional complexities a Revolution held as his interpretation of otherwise important matters revolved around his “pattern of juvenile romanticism” (38). Evidently, the American colonies’ desire for independence from the mother country was a momentous decision that affected all thirteen colonies. However, in Ellis’ arguments, Thomas Jefferson’s writing at the time showed either his failure to acknowledge the severity of the situation or his disregard of the same. Accordingly, as written in the American Sphinx, Jefferson’s mannerisms in the first Continental Congress and Virginia evokes the picture of an adolescent instead of the thirty-year-old man he was at the time (Ellis 38). It is no wonder Ellis observes Thomas Jefferson as a founding father who was not only “wildly idealistic” but also possessed “extraordinary naivete” while advocating the notions of a Jeffersonian utopia that unrestrained
...didn’t over step his authority or attempt to subvert the army for his own purposes. Instead, George Washington sets the example of the military commander who was subservient to civilian political leadership. He also showed patience and coolness in the face of adversity. On many occasions in the book, the author cites Washington’s expressions of doubt and fears of failure, yet Washington never showed fear or doubt in action in front of his troops.
In Document B, the engraving, George Washington was talking to the Congressional Committee about helping the suffering soldiers in Valley Forge. George Washington is just trying to keep his army together and alive. He can't do that with everyone leaving. In his letter to George Clinton, (Doc E), he wrote: "...the present dreadful situation of the army for want of provisions...is more alarming than you will probably conceive...naked and starving as they are, we cannot enough admire the incomparable patience and fidelity of the soldiery...". Washington was amazed at how well his soldiers were holding up in their condition. He was grateful that they hadn't deserted yet, as well. General Washington cared about his troops. So much so, that he brought the committee to see them. He wanted to win the war, but you can't win a war against Britain on your
In the book Founding Brothers by Joseph Ellis, the author relates the stories of six crucial historic events that manage to capture the flavor and fervor of the revolutionary generation and its great leaders. While each chapter or story can be read separately and completely understood, they do relate to a broader common theme. One of Ellis' main purposes in writing the book was to illustrate the early stages and tribulations of the American government and its system through his use of well blended stories. The idea that a republican government of this nature was completely unprecedented is emphasized through out the book. Ellis discusses the unique problems that the revolutionary generation experienced as a result of governing under the new concept of a democracy. These problems included- the interpretation of constitutional powers, the regulation of governmental power through checks and balances, the first presidential elections, the surprising emergence of political parties, states rights vs. federal authority, and the issue of slavery in a otherwise free society. Ellis dives even deeper into the subject by exposing the readers to true insight of the major players of the founding generation. The book attempts to capture the ideals of the early revolutionary generation leaders and their conflicting political viewpoints. The personalities of Hamilton, Burr, Adams, Washington, Madison, and Jefferson are presented in great detail. Ellis exposes the reality of the internal and partisan conflict endured by each of these figures in relation to each other. Ellis emphasizes that despite these difficult hurdles, the young American nation survived its early stages because of its great collection of charismatic leaders and their ability to ...
Washington was the embodiment of everything fine in the American character. He had no delusions of grandeur and was second only to Benjamin Franklin as a diplomat with the French. In caring fo...
In this book Founding Brothers, the author Joseph J. Ellis writes about American Revolution's important figures such as George Washington, John Adams, Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, Aaron Burr, Benjamin Franklin and James Madison exhibit that how the specific relationships of the Founding Fathers have influenced, or were influenced in the course of the American Revolution. These men have become the Founding Fathers and had a strong connection with each other as friends fighting one another to eliminate the British from North America, and forming optimistic brotherhood eager for freedom. However, many of the Founding Fathers were preoccupied with posterity. They wanted to construct and preserve images that served both their egos and
"His mind was great and powerful, without being of the very first order; his penetration strong . . . Perhaps the strongest feature in his character was prudence, never acting until every circumstance, every consideration, was maturely weighed; refraining if he saw a doubt, but, when once decided, going through with his purpose, whatever obstacles opposed." (Thomas Jefferson, as cited in "George Washington," 2006, para.19) George Washington is one of the most recognized and famous leaders in all history of the United States of America. He contributed greatly to the establishment of this prosperous country, from leading the Revolutionary armies into battle, to running the country as the first president, Washington has set precedence and example for all who have and are yet to follow. He was a noble man who demonstrated characteristics one would expect from a hero figure. He was not power-hungry, but did things and played his role for the good of the country, for patriotic purposes, to help America become the success it is today. In March of 1783, the soldiers of the American military were restless, bored and in a terrible state of doubt and distrust concerning the newly formed congress of the country. When these soldiers joined the army, they were promised a certain amount of money according to their service, but by the war's end, congress was nearly broke and not in a position to pay them all they had earned. The soldiers planned a rebellion against congress for their unjust treatment, and attempted to hold an unauthorized meeting of the officers on the matter. Washington forbade the meeting, but called for one a few days later, in which he gave his speech concerning the Newburgh Conspiracy ("The Rise and Fall," 2006, para.2). General Washington was a highly respected man among his peers, soldiers, and fellow men. His opinions, approval, and presence alone were enough to validate many plans, documents, and meetings throughout his life, so it is no wonder that even simple words or acts performed by General Washington were respected, and more often than not, taken to heart by his audience; perhaps this is why it may seem surprising that one of the most important speeches he ever gave fell on relatively deaf ears, leaving the audience hesitant, confused, seemingly unaffected by his powerful use of diction, and emotional appeal.
The author, a renowned American historian, presents an exciting and dramatic narrative of the year of the birth of the nation. He interweaves the actions and decisions that saw the British lead the war against the rebellious subjects that put the survival of America at the discretion of George Washington. The author tells a human version aspect if the story with accounts of those who walked alongside George Washington in the Declaration of Independence year. This was a time when the whole reason for Americans was based on the possibility of success. The book points out that without the hope of success, the whole idea of independence would have slipped away and the ideals of the Declaration of Independence would have been nothing but words on paper.
The American fight for freedom is a critical part of the American history. Following the foundation of a nation, the individuals who enabled the fight for freedom and were central in the fight called the founding fathers. In the book ‘Revolutionary Characters: What Made the Founders Different’, the author provides a vivid investigation of the founding fathers. The book offers a unique point of view that looks on to the founding fathers’ live in detail. The book offers knowledge that extends beyond what is availed into the history books into an analysis of character to present their individual values as a system in which they founded guiding principles for the country. The paper offer an analysis of ‘Revolutionary Characters: What Made the Founders Different’. Gordon Wood brings to light the ethical principles of the founding fathers to bring to light the basis of moral statures propagated and applied in the democratic system today despite the difference in time.
... to the realness of this man. This book was first published in 2001, in New York. Though probably released before the September 11 attacks, it is assurable that if it had been released after, the direct correlation of the American hero would be made of John Adams. I think that the author’s goal, in writing this book, is to present the reality of this particular co-revolutionary, which through all the primary documents especially, he was very successful in doing. The single most memorable thing that I learned about were the relationships that Adams had, with other familiar names. This book had really helped me to understand the happenings that went on in the life period of Adams, but also really just how all these historical co-revolutionaries and Founding Fathers were all related.
He suffered from stage fright and often “blushed and faltered”, (18) even at his inauguration as President, “he trembled and several times could scarce make out to read his speech” (18) This weakness of his is often glossed over as it doesn’t seem to fit in with his image as the towering, imposing “founding father”. Yet today, it is essential for a President to be able to deliver impressive and clear speeches to the whole country. Finally there are some criticisms that he was not as effective General as is often believed. Thomas Paine claimed that he was a bad general whose strategy consisted of “doing nothing” (19). Although Paine had a personal agenda in condemning George Washington as he resented not being appointed Postmaster-General, and then later by not being rescued from French persecution by the government, it is true that George Washington did lose more battles than he won (20) and often did seem to do nothing for long periods of time. There is also the issue of his harsh treatment towards his own soldiers, any who were caught deserting or plundering were “flogged” (21) and he even a “Gallows near forty feet high erected” to terrify the rest into obedience.
George Washington had character and was extraordinary. Ellis described Washington as an "incalculable asset." His leadership skills were unique. His actions were performed for his country, not for political gain. He was also directly associated with every major event of the Revolutionary War, the Continental Congress, and the building of the new republic. Even the country 's new capitol had his name. These were some of the things that made him so special. Washington was not prideful and not easily led. He offered suggestions and warnings to his replacements and told the government to expand in a way that would keep the country standing; he was well aware of how dainty the country was. The United States would never have survived without him.
Despite the low expectations for the American colonies, they amazed the world as they rose to the occasion by taking advantage of their military assets, even those they did not know they had. For instance, George Washington proved to be a valuable asset for the American colonies. Washington was already held in high esteem prior to the Revolution for his few, but impactful, military accomplishments prior to the Revolution and for his praise-worthy character. (Schweikart and Allen 74) Because of his lack of experience commanding, he learned to excel in familiarizing himself with new tactics and responsibilities very quickly. (Mount Vernon) He used strategy to make up for what he lacked in supplies or force. In 1776, he valiantly crossed the Delaware river for a successful surprise attack on Trenton and days later successfully took Princeton, two undertakings which contributed significantly to the American victory along with Washington defeating Cornwallis at Yorktown in 1...
By having the face on an angle and the thick brush strokes it shows me