George Washington (1840–83)
Original title: George Washington
kurzbeschreibung
A round faience plate made between 1840 and 1883 carries a brown-toned profile portrait of George Washington. The model was a work by Gilbert Stuart. The diameter is 22.2 centimetres.
Description
On the white glaze sits a sepia bust of Washington in profile, head and upper body visible. The sitter wears a shirt with the collar typical of his era. The features are carefully and precisely rendered. At the lower edge the name 'Stuart' appears, a reference to Gilbert Stuart as the source. The ground remains undefined, so the face and shoulder stand out clearly; the plate's smooth white surface contrasts sharply with the sepia image.
Context
Emile Dupont-Zipcy, a French ceramicist known for his faience, made the plate. The span 1840–1883 derives from the artist's working period. The source was a painting by Gilbert Stuart, one of the most famous likenesses of Washington, often copied. In the 19th century such plates frequently served as decorative collector's or commemorative pieces honouring historical figures.
Impact
The delicate sepia portrait on the smooth white faience surface feels calm and dignified. The realistic rendering of Washington gives the plate a historical aura and draws the eye to the face of the first US president.
Technique
The object is made of faience, a glazed ceramic with a white body. The portrait in brown tones was applied to the glazed surface, probably by transfer or hand-painting, and then fired. The smooth white surface suggests a tin glaze, as is usual for faience.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)