Object Number40138 1964.2201 A

Object Name

Painting (Portrait)

Title

Washington at Verplanck's Point

Category

Paintings

Credit Line/Donor

Gift of Henry Francis du Pont

Creator (Role)

John Trumbull (Artist)
06/06/1756-11/10/1843

Place of Origin

New York, New York, Mid-Atlantic, United States, North America

Date

1790

Mark or Signature or Inscription or Label

1. Signature; Bottom right of center; I.Trumbull/ 1790.

Subjects

George Washington; Historical; Military; Portrait; Political figure

Materials

Oil paint; Canvas

Techniques

Painted

Dimensions (inches)

30.125 (H) , 20.125 (W)

Dimensions (centimeters)

76.517 (H) , 51.117 (W)

Measurement Notes

Measurements taken from conservation files; not specified where taken.

Object Description

Web - 04/28/2025

Painted as a gift for Martha Washington, this keenly observed and sensitive depiction of Washington was considered by his family to be the most accurate likeness of him ever produced. Revolutionary War veteran John Trumbull captured his former commander George Washington observing a military review at Verplanck’s Point, a key crossing of the Hudson River that the British had attempted to seize multiple times. Although typically classified as a portrait, Trumbull considered this piece part of his series of history paintings chronicling America’s founding.

Bibliography and Bibliographic Notes

[Book] Cooper, Wendy A. 2002 An American Vision: Henry Francis du Pont's Winterthur Museum.
• Published: pp. 166-8, fig. 12.
[Book] Richardson, Edgar P. 1986 American Paintings and Related Pictures in the Henry Francis du Pont Winterthur Museum.
• Published: pp. 39-41, no. 41.
[Book] Jaffe, Irma B. 1975 John Trumbull: Patriot-Artist of the American Revolution.
• Published: pl. 9, facing p. 186, and pp. 314-5.
[Article] 2014 Mount Vernon's New Room. Antiques. (March/April): 80.
• Published: p. 80
[Article] Erby, Adam T. 2014 George Washington's New Room. Antiques and Fine Art. 2014 (Autumn): 118-125.
• Published: p. 123
[Catalogue] Cartwright, Ingrid & Welker, Janie. 2010 Hoofbeats and Heartbeats: The Horse in American Art.
• Fig 9
[Book] Brown, Virginia Pounds & Cohen, Linda McNair. 2016 Drawing By Stealth: John Trumball and the Creek Indians.
•
[Book] Fraser, Flora. 2015 George and Martha Washington: A Revolutionary Marriage.
•