Apotheosis of George Washington

Munich: J.M. Hermann. WEISHAUPT, Heinrich. Lithograph with original hand coloring. Circa 1830-1850. Measures 25 1/4" x 18 1/2". Lined with expert repairs to lower left corner<br/><br/> This beautiful lithograph based on a painting by Samuel Moore depicts George Washington ascending into heaven, surrounded by angels and shining a light on Columbia. Understood as the personification of the United States, Columbia stands near a throne, with a statue of a bald eagle above her that reads "e pluribus unum", meaning 'Out of many -one', which is now part of New York States new logo. The monument to Washington is surrounded by women in mourning, representing the states. <br><br>The text included below the image describes the scene: "When the first in Council, the first in the field, and the first in the hearts of his fellow citizens, the father of his country, the illustrious Washington, left this earthly mansion attended by those virtues which were the inmates of his soul in his terrestrial pilgrimage, and borne on the arms of faith and love, he winged his flight to the footstool of boundless mercy to join the Hallelujahs of the just and ever blessed immortals. Hope led the way to the seat of bliss, and points the road to his infranchised spirit, whilst the whole group (in glory inexpressibly too bright for the mortal eye) majestically ascended toward the Throne of the Everlasting, to receive the award of "well done thou good and faithful servant". We may well suppose the hosts of Heaven and the spirits of the just made perfect welcome their newborn brother to the abodes of bliss, the regions of eternal day. Seated on high, his Glory bursts thro' the clouds of Heaven and sheds rays of light on a benighted World. A more peculiar ray of his Glory brightens the widowed Columbia, who looks up to him as the rock of her consolation taking an eternal farewell of his mortal essence, but whose glory beams on her forever. Rays of comfort illuminate the countenance and cheer the bosoms of the orphan states, dissolving in sorrow at his tomb and lamenting the departure of their adored Friend, Benefactor, and Protector."<br/><br/>