The Met Is Letting Go Of A George Washington Portrait For As Much As $2.5M
Gilbert Stuart’s Vaughan-Sinclair portrait of George Washington (1795), a similar piece to the one being auctioned off at Christie’s. Image via Andrew W. Mellon Collection / National Gallery of Art / Wikimedia Commons (public domain)
The Metropolitan Museum of Art is preparing to part ways with a piece of American history as it puts up for auction a rare portrait of George Washington. Expected to command up to US$2.5 million at a Christie’s auction, this oil painting, a creation by the esteemed American artist Gilbert Stuart, has been a gem in The Met’s collection since 1944, a generous gift from the late Richard De Wolfe Brixey. Nearly 80 years on, the museum has decided to sell this historical piece to bolster its acquisition fund, while reassuring enthusiasts that a duplicate portrait will remain in its place.
The portrait in question is a standout piece from the Vaughan series, portraying the first president in a stately manner with a white ruffled shirt and dark overcoat set against a vibrant red backdrop. Comprising 14 works, the selection holds a special place in American art history with its pivotal depictions of Washington. This particular piece, dubbed the Philips-Brixey portrait, is especially noted for its historical and artistic significance.
Recognize this image of George Washington? A variation of this portrait by American artist Gilbert Stuart (born on this day in 1755) appears on the one-dollar bill. https://t.co/MVnAwdvtRG pic.twitter.com/hw2cd2PMiu
— The Metropolitan Museum of Art (@metmuseum) December 3, 2018
Stuart, renowned for his portraits of the first American president, painted the Vaughan collection around 1795. The series is particularly notable because Stuart is thought to have created the originals from life, making various replicas that carried his direct observation into each canvas. While the original painting might have been obscured by Stuart himself, the Philips-Brixey portrait stands as one of the earliest and finest replicas from this series.
The Met says it deaccessions artworks annually to refine and enhance its collection, with the sales of those masterpieces funding the acquisition of other outstanding creations.
The upcoming auction is scheduled as part of Christie’s yearly Important Americana sale on January 18 and 19, 2024.
[via Hyperallergic, ARTnews, Barnebys, images via various sources]
