Engraved Portrait of George Washington c. 1860 - 1880

Here we see an engraved portrait of George Washington by Jeremiah Gurney, printed on a trade card. The image of Washington, framed by an oval laurel wreath, evokes classical notions of virtue and leadership. Above Washington, an eagle with outstretched wings perches atop a shield, a clear nod to Roman imperial iconography adopted by the burgeoning United States. We see the eagle again and again throughout history, from ancient Rome to Napoleonic France, forever a symbol of power. Below Washington are crossed swords, symbols of authority. Yet, the sword is here softened with a delicate bow, and appears underneath the portrait of the revered President on an advertisement for Woolen Remnants, connecting leadership with commerce. These visual symbols, laden with historical weight, invite viewers into a subconscious dialogue about identity, authority, and the marketplace. Note how the artist has reconfigured these symbols for his own time.