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Apotheosis of Washington

After Gilbert Stuart American
1800–1802
Not on view
Barralet’s popular image includes a depiction of the president based on works by the famed portraitist Gilbert Stuart. Washington rises from his tomb on a heavenly ray of light with the help of figures representing Genius and Immortality, while Faith, Hope, and Charity look on. America is personified both as Lady Liberty, seated atop armor and holding a staff on whose tip rests a liberty cap, and as a Native American man with braided hair and a headdress, quiver, and tomahawk. Hunched over in mourning and guarding Washington’s sarcophagus, they resemble images of sleeping soldiers at Christ’s tomb.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Apotheosis of Washington
  • Artist: John James Barralet (Irish, Dublin ca. 1747–1815 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
  • Artist: After Gilbert Stuart (American, North Kingston, Rhode Island 1755–1828 Boston, Massachusetts)
  • Date: 1800–1802
  • Medium: Engraving and etching
  • Dimensions: image: 24 1/8 x 18 1/2 in. (61.2 x 47 cm)
    plate: 25 3/4 x 19 7/8 in. (65.4 x 50.5 cm)
    sheet: 29 3/8 x 21 1/4 in. (74.6 x 54 cm)
  • Classification: Prints
  • Credit Line: Gift of William H. Huntington, 1883
  • Object Number: 83.2.159
  • Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints

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Allegories of Wisdom and Truth Leading the Infant Arts to America, John James Barralet Irish, Pen and ink, brush and wash
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