Federal Hall, 2018
Lithograph, 25/100
Image Size: 12 x 8 1/2"
Paper Size: 15 x 11"
During a time in history when we are questioning monuments of our former heros, founding fathers, military leaders, contributors in the sciences, literature, and the arts, etc., this is a statute of George Washington who was inaugurated as the first President of the United States on April 30, 1789, at Federal Hall, NYC, then the nation’s capitol. Washington owned slaves, but provided for their emancipation after his death, which reflected his changing attitude toward enslavement. Now in light of Black Lives Matter, do we reevaluate his overall standing as an important and great leader and the “father of our country”?
Federal Hall National Memorial, 26 Wall Street, was built in 1842 at Wall and Broad Streets. Sculptor John Quincy Adams Ward created the bronze statue of George Washington in 1883, marking the approximate site of the George Washington’s April 30, 1789, inauguration. Architecture is the primary inspiration for my art and one of humankind’s greatest achievements. My hand-drawn lithograph took many months to complete, drawing from my photographs and on-site sketches. These photographs were taken over a 20-year period. It was my first stone lithograph in more than 30 years and the first time a statue appears prominently and the first time a person appears in one of my prints. 26 Wall Street is one of the best examples of classical architecture in Manhattan. I was also intrigued by the fact that not much has changed to the exterior of this building since John Frazee designed it 176 years ago.
The above from Martin Levine’s submission
Artist/Printmaker Martin Levine was born in New York City. He received a B.S. in Art Education from Buffalo State College and an MFA in Printmaking from the California College of Arts, Oakland, CA. His etchings and lithographs realistically depict cityscapes. He is a past president of the Society of American Graphic Artists and was elected to the National Academy of Design.
