Portrait of George Washington painted by Gilbert Stuart engraved by James Heath, 1800.

George Washington by Gilbert Stuart

The original of this portait was commissioned by the Marquis of Lansdowne and now hangs in the White House in Washington.

Apparently James Heath produced this engraving without consulting Gilbert Stuart who had not copyrighted the work.  Washington died in 1799 and perhaps as a result there was great demand from America for prints which sold for five guineas each.  James Heath made a very great profit out of this venture however, Gilbert Stuart was understandably very unhappy as he received none of the proceeds.

  A "first impression" was dated 1797 but the finished engraving was dated 1800.

 

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