Description:
Drawing in black ink on medium weight wove paper by William E. Niles (1821-1908) of Charlemont, Massachusetts, at age 20 when he was recuperating from typhoid fever. The drawing commemorates the deaths of William Henry Harrison in 1841 and George Washington in 1799. William Henry Harrison (1773-1841), who was known both for the Battle of Tippecanoe in 1811 against the Indian confederacy led by Tecumseh and his military successes in the War of 1812, was the first President (member of the Whig party) to die in office on April 4, 1841, less than a month after his inaugeration. The left half of the drawing is reserved for George Washington - in the upper left hand corner is an eagle with the motto "Pater Patriae", and "THE HERO" below is "OF HIS COUNTRY" and "Written by" in an oval below the image of George Washington is the inscription, "Gen Geo/Washington/departed this life/December 14, 1799/And the tears/ of a/ NATION/ watered his/ grave" Surrounding the porthole image of George Washington is the motto, "SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF THE GREAT" Embracing both portraits is the inscription, "Honor and Praise to these Two US's Patriots/ Beloved in all the Walks of Life and Lamented in Death," the right side of the drawing is reserved for William H. Harrison. Inscribed on the right side, "Pro Patria" "The Hero," "Of Many Battles," in an oval under his portrait reads, "Gen Wm H./ Harrison/ Departed this life/ Apr. 4th 1841 AE 9/ And a Nation/Mourns/ His Death." Surrounding the porthole portrait is the inscription, "SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF THE BRAVE." A flag flanked by angels and between the two portraits is the stars and stripes with the word "Constitution." In the lower right corner is the maker's inscription, "Wm E. Niles/ 1841"
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https://museums.fivecolleges.edu/detail.php?t=objects&type=ext&id_number=HD+71.056 |
