Artist/Maker

Shepherd, C. __Publisher

Place Made

Date Made

1775

Medium

mezzotint copperplate engraving

Dimensions

HOA: 13 7/8″; WOA: 9 3/4″ (plate size)

Accession Number

1094.12

Description

This print is one of the so-called fakes that were issued by London printmakers when Washington was appointed Commander in Chief of the American forces. It was issued quickly to take advantage of the market for likenesses of Washington, but it bears little resemblance to the actual man.

To add credibility to the image, the printmaker added a false credit line claiming that the image was “Drawn from the life by Alexr. Campbell of Williamsburgh in Virginia.” There was no such person as Alexander Campbell living in Williamsburg, Virginia. The inscription on this and two other engravings of Washington are the only record of a painter or draftsman named Alexander Campbell.

On January 31, 1776, Washington wrote to Joseph Reed, the President of Congress, that he had seen the portrait of himself on horseback and commented that the artist “[had] made a very formidable figure of the Commander-in-Chief, giving him a sufficient portion of terror in his countenance.” Washington also declared at another time that he had never seen a Mr. Campbell.

RELATED OBJECT: For another “Washington” portrait issued by Shepherd after a spurious painting by Alexander Campbell of Williamsburg, see (MESDA acc. 2024.49)

DESCRIPTION: Mezzotint copperplate engraving- Portrait of man with drawn sword on a horse which is rearing up onto its hind legs. In the background are: left, trees and right, group of men firing at men on horseback.

Credit Line

Purchase Fund