Another Classic Group at Mount Vernon

Description

Pencil on paper drawing of "Another Classic Group at Mount Vernon", July 1796, from the Latrobe Sketchbooks, by Benjamin Henry Latrobe. On July 16, 1796, Latrobe journeyed to President George Washington's Virginia estate "Mount Vernon" to deliver a letter from Washington's nephew, and Latrobe's friend, Bushrod Washington (1762-1829). At about 3:30 that afternoon, Latrobe dined with the President, his wife Martha (1731-1802), Martha's granddaughter Eleanor Parke Custis Lewis (1779-1854), and Georges Washington Louis Gilbert de Lafayette (1779–1849). Following dinner, other guests arrived and they enjoyed coffee and further conversation on the portico. This sketch, which was published in "The Journal of Latrobe", features young Lafayette's tutor standing at left, Martha Washington is seated, one of Secretary Tobias Lear's (1762-1816) sons holds Martha's hand, an unnamed enslaved African American footman holds a serving tray out for granddaughter Eleanor Custis, and Lafayette stands at right. On the far right is a partial faint outline of an unknown figure.