General John Cadwalader

Object Details

Artist

Charles Willson Peale, born Queen Anne's County, MD 1741-died Philadelphia, PA 1827

Sitter

John Cadwalader

Luce Center Label

During the Revolutionary War, General John Cadwalader (1742-1786) commanded troops at the battles of Brandywine, Germantown, Monmouth, and Princeton. He was much admired by his close friend General George Washington, who referred to him as "a military genius." Washington offered Cadwalader the position of Continental brigadier general, but his friend declined, preferring to become a state legislator in Maryland after the war. When Charles Willson Peale painted Cadwalader's likeness, it was intended to ornament a woman's bracelet, and in fact the original fittings for an ornamental band---similar to today's watchbands---are visible along the sides of the miniature's case.

Credit Line

Smithsonian American Art Museum, Bequest of Mary Elizabeth Spencer

ca. 1788

Object number

1999.27.30

Restrictions & Rights

CC0

Type

Painting-Miniature

Medium

watercolor on ivory

Dimensions

sight 1 1/2 x 1 1/4 x 1/4 in. (3.9 x 3.2 x 0.5 cm) oval

See more items in

Smithsonian American Art Museum Collection

Department

Painting and Sculpture

Smithsonian American Art Museum

Topic

Occupation\military\general

Portrait male\bust

Record ID

saam_1999.27.30

Metadata Usage (text)

CC0

GUID (Link to Original Record)

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/vk74782bdac-be5f-49c1-8f51-142e93b2dca6