Dean Ellis (American, 1920 - 2009) "George Washington" Signed lower left. Original Oil painting on Masonite. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting is the original painting which was published on the Fleetwood Commemorative Cover for The Shapers of America series issued in 1987. A planter of great wealth, an aristocrat, and a gentleman, George Washington was happiest when on his farm -- yet at the same time he was a professional soldier and a life-long public servant. His career presented fascinating contradictions. An ardent Virginian, he was at the same time America's greatest nationalist; a great soldier, he hated war and eventually steered his people into the placid waters of peace. Profoundly conservative, he embodied and led a Revolution, and presided with equanimity over the first democratic government in history. Lacking formal education, his public papers and letters have both eloquence and elegance. He won the affection of his people as did not other men of his generation. No wonder he was "first in war, first in peace, first in the hearts of his countrymen." When the new Union seemed to be falling apart, it was he who took the lead in convening a convention to devise a new Constitution. In politics he had no rivals and feared none. He had the wisdom to select the ablest men in the nation to serve him: Jefferson and Hamilton for his Cabinet, and the distinguished John Jay as first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Thus, within a few years, the new nation was the envy of all the peoples of the Old World. And, when he retired, he left as his testament a Farewell Address which became a blueprint for the nation's future leaders. Indeed, no other national leader in modern times has been so exalted by the verdict of History. Image Size: 18 x 21 in. Overall Size: 24 x 27 in. Unframed. (B10679)