Unattributed “The Courtship of Washington"

Unattributed.  “The Courtship of Washington.” 

New York: John C. McRae, 1860.  Engraving by J.C. McRae.  15 x 21 1/2.  Three skillfully repaired tears, two in bottom margin and one in top right margin corner, all not affecting image.  Light scuffing in margins.  Else, very good condition. 

A sentimental image of George Washington courting Martha, issued by New York publisher, John C. McRae.  McRae produced large, uncolored engravings of historical scenes in the mid-nineteenth century.  Here he engraved the scene of Martha Custis sitting with her two children, and George sitting somewhat distractedly in a comfortable arm chair.  The scene has a classic formality and composition, keeping Washington in his ‘heroic’ plane even though engaged in the very human activity of courtship.  Many retrospective historical prints of the mid-nineteenth century were issued as part of the myth-making of American history that was popular at the time.  This print is typical of the type, and it provides not only a visually interesting document, but one that tells us more about the period when it was issued than of the period depicted.