The Washington Family

The Washington Family by Edward Savage is a life-size group portrait of the first U.S. President George Washington, the First Lady Martha Washington and two of her grandchildren and enslaved servants. Based on studies of early Washington's presidency, Savage began working in New York City, 1789-90, and he finished his work a few years later in Philadelphia, 1795-1796. The huge painting (7 ft. x 9 ft. 4 inches / 213 cm x 284 cm) hangs in the National Gallery of Art in Washington DC

The image became famous in the 19th century. From 1798 produced Savage prints them in large quantities and from the year 1840 by John Sartain.

The scene of the painting is idealized: the Potomac River runs in the background, the First Lady is on a card that the location of the future capital, Washington DC shows. Are shown from left to right: George Washington Parke Custis, grandson, George Washington Parke Custis, granddaughter Eleanor Lewis, Martha Washington and an enslaved servant (probably Christopher Sheels ).