Presidents' Day is a federal holiday in the United States designated to celebrate the birthday of George Washington, America's first president, on February 22, 1732. The day is also a celebration of Abraham Lincoln, whose birthday was February 12, 1809.
In honor of President Washington and his wife Martha, here is a look at all of the works in our collection that depict the presidential pair.
Giuseppe Longhi (Italian, 1766–1831). Portrait of Washington, 1817. Engraving, 6 7/8 x 5 1/8 inches (17.6 x 12.9 cm). Collection Albright-Knox Art Gallery, Buffalo, New York; Gift of Willis O. Chapin, 1891 (1891:4.118).
William Edgar Marshall (American, 1837–1906). Portrait of George Washington, 1862. Engraving, 13 7/16 x 11 3/16 inches (34.1 x 28.4 cm). Collection Albright-Knox Art Gallery, Buffalo, New York; Gift of Willis O. Chapin, 1891 (1891:4.124).
John Chester Buttre (American, 1821–1893) after John Wollaston the younger (British, active 1736–1775). Portrait of Martha Washington, 1863. Engraving, 28 3/8 x 22 inches (72.1 x 55.9 cm). Collection Albright-Knox Art Gallery, Buffalo, New York; Gift of William A. Galpin, 1909 (1909:8).
George R. Hall (British, active in United States, born 1818) after Felix Octavius Carr Darley (American, 1822–1888). Washington's Adieu to His Generals, ca. 1860. Engraving, 17 3/4 x 24 inches (45.1 x 61 cm). Collection Albright-Knox Art Gallery, Buffalo, New York; Source unknown, 1970 (P1970:45).
John Wesley (American, born 1928). George Washington and Three Indians, 1963. Oil on canvas, 72 x 72 inches (182.9 x 182.9 cm). Collection Albright-Knox Art Gallery, Buffalo, New York; Gift of Seymour H. Knox, Jr., 1964 (K1964:4). © John Wesley
