Copperplate-printed panel of America presenting at the Altar of Liberty, after etchings by Pierre Eugène du Simitière, with the figure of Washington after John Trumbull's portrait of George Washington (Metropolitan Museum of Art, 24.109.88). Here, an angel bestows on Washington a crown of laurels with a banner reading "Washington and Independence." An allegorical figure representing America, dressed in neoclassical gown and feathered headdress and surrounded by other female attendants, kneels before an altar inscribed "America Presenting at the Altar of Liberty Medallions of her Illustrious Sons." The whole scene is set in landscape with pineapple plants, verdant trees, flags, military equipment, urns and birds. Blue threads are present in the selvedges.
Extant panels of this fabric include those at the Art Institute of Chicago (1969.211a-b); The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Print Collection, The New York Public Library; Museum of Fine Arts Boston (56.229); New Hampshire Historical Society (2004.043.271); and Yale University Art Gallery (1931.1371).
Provenance: Ten Eyck and Burr families, Cazenovia, NY
Condition: two small holes at top and bottom center (professionally conserved).
Otherwise good.
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