Lot 1158: Auguste Regnier (1787-1860) after Junius Brutus Stearns (1810-1885) Fine American and European Furniture, Silver, Folk and Decorative Arts and Clocks

Life of George Washington: The Citizen, 1854 Colored lithograph Published by M. Knoedler, New York 17 1/4 x 23 1/2in (43.8 x 59.6cm)

43.8 x 59.6cm

: Sotheby's Parke Bernet, 26 January 1989, lot 452.

While earlier images of Washington downplayed aspects of his life that would have brought out his human qualities, he is shown here in the very human act of marrying Martha Custis, the young widow of Daniel Parke Custis. See Barbara J. Mitnick, "Paintings for the People, American Popular History Painting, 1875-1930," in William Ayres (ed.), Picturing History: American Painting 1770-1930, (New York: Rizzoli and Fraunces Tavern Museum, 1993), p. 161; and Kennedy Galleries, A Nation is Born: An Exhibition of Fine, Rare and Interesting Prints, Drawings and Paintings of Major Issues and Events during the Span of Washington's Lifetime, exhibition catalogue, New York, 1954, no. 150.