WASHINGTON AND IRVING

Art

Historic Hudson Valley

SS.62.20 b

Name/Title

WASHINGTON AND IRVING

Entry/Object ID

SS.62.20 a-b

Description

Set within a shop in New York City, this watercolor illustrates the encounter between a young Washington Irving, his nurse Lizzie, and George Washington in 1788. Born just a few months before the Treaty of Paris ended the American Revolution in 1783, Irving was named after the famous general. Celebrated as the 'Father of American Literature', Irving penned his magnum opus on the nation's Founding Father, completing his five-volume Life of George Washington shortly before his own passing in 1859. a. Watercolor entitled, upper right, in cursive: "Washington and Irving": Washington, in uniform, booted, with sword, places right hand on top of head of small long-haired child, cap in hand, while, behind the boy, woman seems to push him gently forward; background is of interior, with open doorway at left, over which appears, in block letters, "W.W.WALDRON:" behind Washington, wall, with suggestion of figured wall-paper, bookcase, on cornice of which bears date "A.D.1788" and, on top, statuary figures; at right, paneled marbled counter or desk, on which are quill pen, ink-pot, books, Washington's hat; at lower right, portion of chair; in lower left corner, signature of "Geo. B. Butler"; dated "1854". b. Frame

Artwork Details

Medium

Pine, Paper, glass, Watercolor, Pine, Paper, Glass, Watercolor

Subject Person or Organization

George Washington (1732-1799), Washington Irving (1783-1859)

Collection

Sunnyside Object Collection

Made/Created

Artist Information

Artist

George Bernard Butler Jr.

Attribution

Artist

Date made

1854

Inscription/Signature/Marks

Type

Inscription

Transcription

See description

Other Names and Numbers

Other Names

Name Type

Other Title

Other Name

The Chieftain and the Child

Other Number

SS.62.20

Dimensions

Dimension Description

frame

Height

13-3/4 in

Width

11-3/4 in

Dimension Notes

Display Dimensions: 13 3/4 x 11 3/4 in. (34.9 x 29.8 cm)

Dimension Description

picture

Height

7-5/8 in

Width

5-3/4 in

Dimension Notes

Display Dimensions: 7 5/8 x 5 3/4 in. (19.4 x 14.6 cm)

Relationships

Related Person or Organization

Person or Organization

George Washington (1732-1799)

Notes

Subject

Person or Organization

Washington Irving (1783-1859)

Notes

Subject

Person or Organization

Washington Irving (1783-1859)

Notes

Former owner

General Notes

Note Type

StorageNote

Note

Home Location: Historic Hudson Valley, Union Church, Storage, Shelf 13E Home Location: Historic Hudson Valley, Sunnyside, Irving's Bedroom