Live Auction Tuesday, October 30, 2007 at 10AM:
40. Leon Cogniet (French, 1794 – 1880) George Washington
Portrait Oil on Canvas, Circa 1836
Léon Cogniet (August 29, 1794 – November 20, 1880) was a French
painter. Cognet was born in Paris In 1812, he entered the École des
Beaux-Arts in Paris, where he studied under Pierre-Narcisse Guérin at the same
time as Delacroix and Géricault. He was a resident at the Villa Medici, in Rome,
from 1817 to 1822. A romantic painter, his main subjects were history and
portraits, and in 1817 he won the Prix de Rome. He died in Paris in 1880.
George Washington (February 22, 1732 – December 14, 1799) was a
central and critical figure in the founding of the United States, and is
commonly referred to as father of the nation. He led America's Continental Army
to victory over Britain in the American Revolutionary War (1775–1783), and in
1789 was elected the first President of the United States of America. He served
two four-year terms from 1789 to 1797, winning reelection in 1792. His devotion
to republicanism and civic virtue made him an exemplary figure among early
American politicians.
Celebrated artist Leon Cogniet (1794-1880) painted this romanticized and heroic
portrait highlighting the authority, grace and stature of Washington at what
appears to be Yorktown, the site of the decisive battle of the Revolutionary
War. Also included are his white horse – almost certainly “Old Nelson,” plus a
cavalry groom, cannon, river and what appears to be Yorktown.
Washington stands in full uniform atop a redoubt (perhaps number ten on
Gloucester Point), overlooking what would be Yorktown, left hand posed over his
sword’s grip, spyglass in his right. The seaward sky (to Washington’s left) is
shaded noticeably darker than landward, symbolizing the threat posed by England,
and more broadly, the unknown. Washington’s adjutant holds “Old Nelson” at bay,
positioned more towards the sea, while a lone cannon over his right shoulder
points towards the mouth of the river.
Cogniet copied Washington’s head from the original “Virginia Regiment” portrait
by Gilbert Stuart, which was painted from life in 1796 – and the source of the
“flopped” image of Washington we find on our dollar bills today. G.W. Parke
Custis wrote that Washington’s “matchless limbs” were rarely portrayed well, and
singled out Jean Nicolas Laugier’s 1839 engraving of this painting (along with a
portrait by Trumbull) as being very well done. Beautifully detailed and
preserved in its original handmade dome-top frame.
Condition Report: Mild crazing, frame shows minor wear
Size: 24 x 28.8 in. (61 x 73.2 cm.)
Provenance: Gary Hendershott Museum Consultants, Bolton, Macbeth, Strong
Estimate: $40,000 – 60,000
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