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Object Record
Images
Metadata
Object name |
Engraving |
Title |
Washington Delivering his Inaugural Address |
Artist or maker |
Henry S. Sadd |
Artist or maker |
Matteson, Tompkins H. |
Date |
1849 |
Place of origin |
New York, NY |
Materials and techniques |
ink on paper |
Physical description |
After the oath, Washington walked into the Senate Chamber to deliver his Inaugural address. Washington had written a 73 page speech, but changed his mind and instead spoke for only 20 minutes. The address was well received - much of the audience was in tears - although eyewitnesses noted that he seemed nervous and was "agitated and embarrassed more than he ever was by the leveled cannon or pointed musket." After his speech, Washington walked to St. Paul's Chapel, where he attended services. This engraving depicts Washington standing on dias holding a sword in his proper right hand and pointing to a scroll with his proper left. Members of Congress surround him. Many nice architectural details. 8/08/2011- An engraving, made on steel plates, by Henry S. Sadd, copied from the painting by T.H. Matteson, and printed on paper by Neale and Pate in New York City in 1849. This print was gifted to Fraunces Tavern Museum by Roland Burbank Swart "in memory of his grandfather". The engraving measures 21.5 x 28.125 inches unframed, and 19.375 x 25.375 inches framed. The frame is made of dark wood, and has three security hangers (on the top and sides). The print shows some discoloration, specifically yellowing, at the corners and bottom (especially two separate areas near the bottom center). There also appears to be some buckling at the corners, where the print is not flush with the matting. George Washington is shown in the middle of a crowd of both men and women (though the majority are men, and members of Congress), standing just off center. He looks left, holds a sword in his left hand and points to a scroll with his right, while standing on a platform two steps high. An eagle atop the window pediment, its wings spread as if in flight, is visible on the proper right side (behind the crowd). This scene takes place on the day of his inauguration as first president of the United States (April 30, 1789) in the Old City Hall, then known as Federal Hall (corner of Wall and Nassau St). Bottom reads: WASHINGTON DELIVERING IS INAUGURAL ADDRESS/APRIL 1789, IN THE OLD CITY HALL, NEW YORK./From The Original Picture Painted Expressly For This Engraving/[rest is not visible] George Washington was elected first president of the United States on April 6, 1789. After being notified, he traveled from his residence in Virginia to New York City, the seat of government at the time. On April 30, 1789, Washington took the oath (administered by the Chancellor of New York, Robert R. Livingston) on the balcony of Old City Hall (corner of Wall and Nassau St), then known as Federal Hall and the meeting place of Congress, with crowds of people watching from the street. Afterwards, Washington gave his inaugural address before the members of Congress in the Senate Chamber. During the speech, it was obvious that Washington was nervous: 'Senator William Maclay of Pennsylvania observed that even the great Washington trembled when he faced the assembled representatives and senators. "This great man was agitated and embarrassed," Maclay added, "more than ever he was by the levelled Cannon or pointed Musket."' (National Archives, http://www.archives.gov/legislative/features/gw-inauguration/). Tompkins Harrison Matteson (1813 - 1884) was a painter of American and rural subjects. -Victoria Musselman, Curatorial Intern |
Catalogue number |
1923.02.004 |
Collection name |
Drawings and Prints |
Credit line |
Gift of Roland Burbank Swart, 1923 |
People |
Franklin, Benjamin Hamilton, Alexander Washington, George |
Subjects and places |
American presidents Congress Inaugural address Inauguration |