George Washington 1899

This is Max Rosenthal's portrait of George Washington. Rosenthal, born in Poland in 1833, was an immigrant to the United States. The work embodies a moment in American history viewed through the eyes of an outsider. Rosenthal, coming from a society marked by different social hierarchies, engages with the mythos of Washington, a figure synonymous with American identity. The image, framed by laurel leaves, speaks to a desire to enshrine Washington within a classical, almost aristocratic, visual language. Yet, as an immigrant artist, Rosenthal's perspective introduces nuances to this established narrative, complicating the notion of American identity. Consider how Rosenthal, an immigrant, grapples with the image of a leader who himself was part of a complex social and political landscape, one that included both the fight for liberty and the perpetuation of slavery. This portrait invites us to reflect on the evolving and multifaceted nature of American identity.