George Washington c. 1792

This is Edward Savage’s engraving of George Washington, printed with ink on paper. While it's tempting to see this image as a straightforward representation of a national hero, it's also a carefully constructed statement about power, identity, and the legacy of the American Revolution. Consider the context: Washington, a man of immense power, is also a figure deeply implicated in the history of slavery and dispossession of indigenous peoples. His image, carefully crafted and widely disseminated, helped solidify a national identity, one that centered on the ideals of liberty and equality, while simultaneously obscuring the stark contradictions of the new nation. The very act of creating and circulating this portrait speaks to the ways in which images can be used to shape public perception and reinforce dominant narratives. What does it mean to create an image of a leader? What aspects of his identity are emphasized, and what aspects are erased? This engraving invites us to consider the complexities of historical memory and the ways in which images can both reveal and conceal the truths of the past.