Antique 18th c. American Colonial Folk Art WASHINGTON Portrait Oil Painting

  
This is a historically significant and seldomly seen Antique 18th c. American Colonial Folk Art Martha WASHINGTON Portrait Oil Painting on canvas, depicting the First Lady of the United States, Martha Washington 1731 - 1802. This artwork likely dates to the late 1700's and is clearly the by the hand of a master painter.

This version of Martha Washington is based on the famous unfinished portrait painting by Gilbert Stuart (1755 - 1828,) and appears to be unsigned. A very similar (yet different) portrait of Martha Washington, also by an unknown artist, is on exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery of the Smithsonian Institution. It is dated to the Early - Mid 19th century specific information on that piece is included below. Similar portrait paintings of Mrs.

Washington appear in The Diplomatic Receptions Rooms at U. Department of State in Washington D. And in important museum collections across the United States. An early and well-done painting such as this one is rarely held in private hands. Approximately 24 x 28 1/4 inches including frame.

Actual artwork is approximately 21 1/4 x 25 1/4 inches. By looking at the sides of the canvas on the verso, it reveals that this painting was professionally re-lined to another canvas over 100+ years ago. Evidence suggests that this late 18th century American Colonial era painting was restored and re-lined sometime in the late 1800's - early 1900's, as this artwork was already considered old and fragile when this procedure was done. The antique gilded wood frame dates to the late 19th century. Good condition for age, with light craquelure throughout, speckles of paint loss, and some evidence of a tactful old restoration in the lower left corner of the canvas please see photos.

The 19th century gilded oak frame has some light scuffing, edge wear and gilding loss. This museum worthy piece of early Americana and United States history would be the center piece of any prominent collection. Acquired from an old collection in Pasadena, California.

If you like what you see, I encourage you to make an Offer. Please check my other listings for more wonderful and unique artworks! About this Artistic Subject (Referencing a similar, Unidentified artwork in the Smithsonian).

Gilbert Stuart, 3 Dec 1755 - 9 Jul 1828. Martha Dandridge Custis Washington, 2 Jun 1731 - 22 May 1802. Stretcher: 76.2 × 64.8 × 1.6 cm (30 × 25 1/2 × 5/8). Frame: 92.1 × 79.7 × 8.9 cm (36 1/4 × 31 3/8 × 3 1/2).

National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution. Martha Dandridge Custis married George Washington in 1759, shortly after the death of her first husband, Daniel Park Custis. At twenty-seven, she had two young children in tow and had amassed tremendous wealth. Owning more than seventeen thousand acres of land, she and her family relied on a large, enslaved workforce, which at one point included her half-sister, Ann Dandridge. George Washington served as a general in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War (1775-83), and the couple often stayed together in the winter encampments.

In the years that followed the war, Martha Washington left her pleasant life at their Mount Vernon plantation to support her husband while he served as president. Gilbert Stuart painted Martha Washington from life in 1796, when the presidential couple was living in Philadelphia, which was then the nation's capital.

This painting is a copy based on Stuart's original study, the "Athenaeum" portrait.