Lot 4053
ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST, FROM THE COLLECTION OF GEORGE WASHINGTON
BRITISH OR EUROPEAN, 18TH CENTURY, Pastel on paper
Verso: Label on frame: Washington Relics / Depository by / Lawrence Washington / May 2 188-
Catalogue note:
A nearly unique object in George Washington's art collection at Mount Vernon was this pastel portrait of John the Evangelist, the patron saint of Freemasonry, and one of only two artworks touching on a religious theme given a place in the first president's home. The pastel depicts the author of the Gospel of John holding a book and is listed as "1 likeness of St. John" in Washington's 1799 estate inventory. The identity of the artist and the pastel's route to Mount Vernon are unknown; it retains its original gilded rococo frame. Freemasonry played a prominent role in George Washington's life. The only other religious artwork displayed by Washington at Mount Vernon was a similarly framed pastel of Madonna Reading, after Carlo Maratta (1625-1713).
Washington did not hide his religious art out of view but displayed the two pictures in his New Room, where he frequently entertained guests. They remained there until Martha Washington's death three years later and were listed in her 1802 estate inventory and the subsequent private sale of her property. Mount Vernon's next owner, George Washington's nephew Bushrod Washington, acquired the "2 Scripture paintings" for $40 at that 1802 sale. The pastel was listed in the 1891 sale of Washington relics at Thos. Birch's Sons, Auctioneers in Philadelphia, where it was described as "Pastel Painting of St. John", lot 272, and has remained in the Washington family ever since.
The current owner is a descendant of John Augustine Washington III, the last owner of Mount Vernon. George Washington's rare pastel of John the Evangelist has remained in the Washington family until today. (source: Furnishing the New Room: Pastels of the Virgin Mary and Saint John by Jessie MacLeod, Assistant Curator at Mount Vernon, 2013, https://mountvernonnewroom.tumblr.com/post/65042498654/furnishing-the-new-room-pastels-of-the-virgin)
[See also: 'Affidavit of Thos. B. Washington of Staunton, Va., and Lawrence Washington, of Alexandria, Va., in reference to the attested copy of the will of General George Washington' for Washington lineage in relation to George Washington's will]
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Provenance:
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From George (1732-1799) and Martha Washington (1731-1802) until his death in 1799*;
to Martha Dandridge Custis Washington until her death in 1802;
Sold at 1802 estate sale of Martha Washington to Bushrod Washington (1762-1829);
Bushrod Corbin Washington (1790-1851);
John Augustine Washington III (1821-1861);
Lawrence Washington (1854-1920);
Philadelphia Thos. Birch's Sons, Auctioneers,1110 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia "THE FINAL SALE OF THE RELICS OF GENERAL WASHINGTON OWNED BY Lawrence Washington, Esq. Bushrod C. Washington Esq. and J.R.C. Lewis, Esq., EMBRACING THE MOST IMPORTANT COLLECTION EVER BROUGHT TOGETHER OF LETTERS, DEEDS, LEASES, LEGAL DOCUMENTS, RECEIPTS, BILLS, ACCOUNT BOOKS, AND MEMORANDA, BELONGING TO AND WRITTEN BY GENERAL WASHINGTON ...." April 21st, 22d, 23d, 1891, lot. 272 as " Pastel Painting of St. John" lot no. 272; probably purchased from the above by Louisa Fontaine Washington (1844-1927) and her husband Col. Roger Preston Chew (1843-1921); and by descent to their daughter Margaret Preston Chew (1883-1972); and by descent to her cousin Louisa Fontaine Washington Dawson (1925-2023) and her husband John Reed Smucker III; and by descent to the present owners; Property of Washington Family descendants
*"1 likeness of St. John" in Washington's 1799 estate inventory
Dimensions:
- Sight: 18 x 14 in. (45.7 x 35.6 cm.), Frame: 24 x 20 in. (61 x 50.8 cm.) Medium:
- BRITISH OR EUROPEAN, 18TH CENTURY, Pastel on paper Condition:
- For a detailed condition report please request more information.
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