GEORGE WASHINGTON

George Washington | Portrait

The Princeton homestead of named Rockingham served as General George Washington's final headquarters during the American Revolution. It was here he awaited the Treaty of Paris, the official paperwork that would end the war and give America formal sovereignty.

The challenge was to present the iconic figure of Washington from a perspective devoid of cliche. Rockingham has a full-sized figure which provided the unique opportunity to study him in three-quarter profile. Washington is portrayed in the room he occupied, surrounded by his personal effects, as he looks out the window at the fall foliage, awaiting the papers that would arrive in November, 1783.

The State of New Jersey commissioned the Living History Shop, in cooperation with the Smithsonian and Mt. Vernon, to reproduce many of Washington's personal campaign furnishings: a substantial collection. Tricia and Rick were commissioned to design and create a marker to commemorate the craftsmen and women who were involved in this landmark project.

The marker is period correct mixed media: goatskin parchment, with quill calligraphy, and oil portrait of Washington. The painting is attached to the backing board by three hand-forged rosehead nails. A curly maple frame surrounds the piece.

In this photo, Tricia presents the marker to (then) historian at Rockingham, Peggi Carlson. Principal craftsman for the Living History Shop, Richard S. Toone, looks on.

Tricia Toone, Artist & Rick Toone, Designer
24" x 30" mixed media
Rockingham Historic Site, Princeton, New Jersey