Location

Country: USA
City: Boston
Place: British Consulate-General

Interpretation about this artwork is under review

The Government Art Collection recognises its responsibility to artists, colleagues and all our audiences to represent the diversity of the UK and to embed anti-racist and equitable practices throughout our work. We are taking action to address inequality in the Collection and its interpretation.

Thomas Cheesman, engraver and draughtsman, began his career in the studio of stipple engraver Francesco Bartolozzi. Thought to have been one of Bartolozzi’s best pupils, many early works by Cheesman were probably signed off by his master and are therefore lost among the great body of work by Bartolozzi. However, the pupil recognised the marketing value of Bartolozzi’s name when he signed his 1792 engraving ‘Adelaide’: ‘Drawn and Engraved by T. Cheesman late Pupil to F. Bartolozzi, R.A.’. Cheesman’s engravings were made after religious, literary and sentimental subjects by contemporary artists, as well as works by Old Masters. He is thought to have died shortly after his last work was exhibited at the Society of British Artists, in 1834.

People

Washington, George

Places

Subjects

male portrait, telescope, horse, 18th century costume, military uniform, waistcoat, boots, breeches, epaulettes, flag, cannon, sword, equerry, general, American revolutionary army, American Revolutionary War

Materials & Techniques

engraving

Artist

John Trumbull (1756 - 1843)
Thomas Cheesman (1760 - c.1834)

Title

George Washington (1732-1799) General & Statesman

Date

published 1 August 1796

Medium

Engraving

Acquisition

Purchased from Colnaghi, April 1952

GAC number

1564