WORTHINGTON FINE ART GALLERIES

Early 19th Century Important Engraving of “George Washington” by renowned english engraver James Thomson (1788–1850).  This rare engraving was based on the important statue by Sir Francis Chantrey of George Washington. The engraving is dated 1827, and presented in a gilt frame.  Image measures 17 1/2″ x 12″.

Provenance:

Acquired by Worthington Galleries from Credit Suisse, the Americana Collection

Part of The Hampton L. Carson Collection of Engraved Portraits, 1903

Prior with the Astor Lenox & Tilden Foundation, 1898 (Listed and Described in the 1898 New York Library Bulletin):

Engraving Mentioned in The Magazine of American History in 1880.

Previously at the Library of Congress

About Artist: James Thomson (1788–1850) was an English engraver, well known for his portraits.  He became an accomplished engraver in the dot and stipple style. His engravings and paintings featured both leading figures of his day and those of previous periods. Working mainly on portraits, Thomson was engaged for major illustrated works including Edmund Lodge’s Portraits of Illustrious Personages, Fisher’s National Portrait Gallery (of Henry Fisher, Son and Jackson, edited by William Jerdan), Chanty’s important statue of George Washington, Walpole’s Anecdotes of Painting, Charles Heath’s Book of Beauty, Anne Mee’s Gallery of Beauties, the Keepsake, the Court Magazine, and Ancient Marbles in the British Museum.  He died at his house in Albany Street, London, on 27 September 1850.  Thomson’s single plates also include the following portraits:

Mrs. Storey, after Thomas Lawrence, 1826
Lady Burghersh and her sisters, after Lawrence, 1827
John Wesley, after John Jackson, 1828
Charles James Blomfield, Bishop of London, after George Richmond, 1847
Queen Victoria riding with Lord Melbourne, after Sir Francis Grant
Prince Albert, after Sir William Charles Ross
Louis-Philippe and his consort Maria Amalia of Naples and Sicily, a pair, after Édouard Louis Dubufe, 1850
Elizabeth Pepys, wife of Samuel Pepys

References:  National Portrait Gallery website: Elizabeth (sic) Pepys
Wikimedia Commons has media related to James Thomson (engraver).
Lee, Sidney, ed. (1898). “Thomson, James (1788-1850)”. Dictionary of National Biography 56. London: Smith, Elder & Co.