Molly Pitcher Being Presented to George Washington

Periodca. 1860 - 1880

MediumOil on canvas

Dimensions25.4 × 35.5 in. (64.5 × 90.2 cm)

ClassificationsLandscapes & Still Life

Credit LineGift of Mrs. Delphine B. O'Donnell, 1932

Object number288

DescriptionA fictional historical painting of Molly Pitcher being presented to George Washington. The General sits on a white horse in the center of the composition facing right. His officers appear immediately behind him, also on horseback. The main American army is lined up behind Washington. One soldier is carrying an American flag. Two more red flags are depicted at the extreme left edge of the painting. Molly Pitcher is being presented to Washington by an officer who is holding his hat over his head. She is neatly dressed in a green petticoat, and red bodice over a white short sleeve shift. Her head is bowed in deference to the General, and her hands on her petticoat suggest she is about to curtsy. More troops appear behind Molly, one of whom is carrying an American flag. Broken carts, cannon balls, and other debris from the battle form the foreground. Smoke from the cannon fire fills the sky. A hill appears in the right distance.
Curatorial RemarksPaintings and prints that show Molly Pitcher in the heat of the battle usually depict her as a very masculine, coarse figure. Those that show her being presented to George Washington and the troops favor a more demure, feminine character. That is certainly true in this work by the same artist who painted the matching Moll Pitcher at the Battle of Monmouth. Amateur painters often used prints as a source for their inspiration, which was the case for the companion work. But so far no print of this particular composition has been identified. The 1878 centennial celebrations for the Battle of Monmouth resulted in many works of art being created that depicted the battle and the landmarks associated with it.NotesThis painting by an unknown artist is a companion to accession number 290, Moll Pitcher at the Battle of Monmouth, which took place on 28 June 1778.

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