Le Paon, Jean Baptiste after Peale, Charles Willson “Washington"

Jean Baptiste Le Paon (c. 1736-1785) after Charles Willson Peale (1741-1827).  “Washington.”  19th or early 20th century re-strike.  15 3/8 x 12 (image).  Engraving by Noel LeMire (1724-1801).  Printed in sepia on cream wove paper.  Period hand color.  Margins trimmed to image top and sides.  Multiple tears skillfully repaired, with print mounted onto matching color backing paper in order to reinforce and fill small losses in image.  All tears and fills skillfully in-painted.  Overall, print is in poor condition but is stable with the image mostly intact.  Unrecorded re-strike.  Not found in Baker; Wick; Cresswell; Fowble.  Sold as is.   A wonderful 18th century image of George Washington portrayed as a great military commander of ‘classical’ character.  The famous American leader is given the heroic trappings of a great potentate, standing in front of an elegant tent resplendent with a rug draped table and a magnificent horse held by a Nubian servant.  Shown in the background is the