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Washington Presiding Over the Constitutional
Convention in Philadelphia, May, 1787, etching, 1932,
23.5 x 34.5 cm.
Commemorating the 215 years since Congress first met under the
new U.S. Constitution, which coincides with the 215th anniversary
of the founding of Georgetown College, the Fairchild Gallery is
exhibiting John W. Winkler's Drawings for The Constitutional Convention
of 1787 through March 2005.
The exhibit includes 26 (of 130 completed) highly accomplished
preparatory drawings for Winkler's popular 1932 etching Washington
Presiding Over the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia,
May, 1787. The etching was commissioned by the George Washington
Memorial Association for a portfolio of twenty etchings by several
prominent artists, in honor of the bicentennial of Washington's
birth in 1932.
John W. Winkler (1894-1979) was born in Vienna, Austria, and
studied at the San Francisco Institute of Art. He was well-known
for his etchings, drawings, and gold jewelry. As he was primarily
a landscape artist, Washington Presiding Over the Constitutional
Convention in Philadelphia, May, 1787 presented a compositional
challenge for Winkler, which he handled skillfully. The drawings
in the
exhibit reveal his careful studies of the human form, placement
of figures, ornamental details, and individual facial characteristics
of the "Founding Fathers," assembled into a complicated
scene that emphasizes Washington's position of respected leadership.
| The Winkler drawings were a gift
to the Library in 2000 from the artist's niece and nephew,
Carol Johnson and John Aronovici. On view with the drawings
are an original proof of Washington Presiding Over the
Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, May, 1787,
and the etched copper plate from which it was printed, a
copper etching plate based on his studies of Benjamin Franklin,
and several letters, including one from President Herbert
Hoover to Arthur H. Brook, the president of the George Washington
Memorial Association. Along with George Washington, famous
historical figures featured in the exhibit include James
Madison, Alexander Hamilton, Benjamin Franklin, Elbridge
Gerry, Rufus King, Gouverneur Morris, Charles Pinckney, and
Charles Thomson. On the nation's bicentennial in 1976, Winkler's
drawings were exhibited at the Bank of America World Headquarters
in San Francisco |
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You can see John W. Winkler's Drawings for The Constitutional
Convention Of 1787 in the Fairchild Gallery or online at www.library.georgetown.edu/dept/speccoll/guac/winkler_
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