Drawn by John Francis Renault
Engraved by Tanner, Vallance, Kearny & Co. and Wm. Allen. C. 1819
Print dimensions : 34 ¼” x 24 ¼” Overall 37 ¼” x 27”
The British surrendering their arms to Gen. Washington after their defeat at YorkTown in Virginia October 1781. To the defenders of American independence, this print is most respectfully inscribed by their fellow citizen, Jn. Fcis. Renault, assistant secretary to the Count de Grass, and engineer to the French Army, at the siege of York.
This is an exceptionally strong image of an appealing American historical print and a fine example of an early Philadelphia imprint. The print has been cleaned, de-acidified and conserved by Frank Mowery. This included reinforcement and repair of two small tears in the upper margins. The print is framed in a fine mahoganized period molding with a gold liner. The frame is in good condition with losses and wear commensurate with age and use.
This print shows British officers on the right, with Cornwallis presenting his sword, and French and American officers, center and left, with George Washington holding his hat in his left hand. Officers identified, from left: “Lincoln, Rochambeau, Hamilton, Washington, Knox, De Lauzen, Nelson, La Fayette, Tarleton, Cornwallis, Abercrombie, O’Hara, Symmonds, Dundas, [and] Chewton.” The allegorical scene on the right, behind the British, shows discord, a female figure, wearing liberty cap and floating on clouds, sending lightning bolts to up-end people and a chariot; on the left, behind American and French officers, prosperity stands next to cornucopia, with Justice and others in attendance, next to a tall pillar topped with Liberty holding staff with liberty cap.
According to Groce and Wallace, Renault was a painter of historical and allegorical scenes. His Triumph of Liberty was advertised in NY in 1795. When this print was published in 1819, Renault described himself as a citizen of the United States.
Price: SOLD.
