His Excellency Nathaniel Green, Esq., Major General of the American Army 1781

John Norman created this engraving of Major General Nathaniel Green, likely around the time of the American Revolution. It offers insights into the visual strategies used to construct revolutionary heroes. Portraits like this one were not simply about capturing a likeness. They were carefully crafted to convey specific messages about the subject's character, status, and role in society. Notice the idealized depiction of Green within an oval frame wreathed with laurels, a symbol of victory and honor. Below, a classical scene alludes to Green's military prowess. In the context of revolutionary America, this print served a vital purpose. It helped to solidify Green's image as a leader worthy of public trust and admiration. Historians draw on these images to understand how the visual rhetoric of the American Revolution contributed to shaping national identity and fostering a sense of collective purpose. Analyzing such imagery helps to understand the cultural and political history of the American Revolution.