General Washington 1789 - 1799

Charles Willson Peale created this engraving of General Washington. We're immediately struck by the formal, almost architectural structure of the composition. The oval portrait of Washington, framed within a rectangular format, asserts a classical order and balance. Peale uses line and form to convey power and authority. The sharp, precise lines of the engraving lend a sense of clarity. The portrait is positioned above a scene depicting a military gathering, reinforcing a hierarchy, with Washington elevated as a figurehead. The formality and the structural elements of the composition work together to create an image of leadership and order. What’s also striking is that this isn't just a portrait, it's a carefully constructed representation, designed to communicate specific values. The calculated arrangement of elements suggests that the image invites ongoing interpretation.