Jump to navigation
Main menu
LCP Home
Search
Search Library Catalog
Search Digital Collections
How to Search the Collections
Access Terms Used in Our Catalogs
Finding Aids
Explore
Browse Collections
LCP News
Social Media
Exhibitions
Podcast
Academic Programs
Overview
Fellowships
Innovation Award
Biennial First Book Award
Seminars
Program in African American History
Program in Early American Economy and Society
The Davida T. Deutsch Program in Women’s History
Visual Culture Program
Research
Overview
Subject Guides
Finding Aids
Online Exhibitions
Bookbinding Research
Using the Library
Overview
Hours, Access, & Location
Rights & Reproductions
How to Search Collections
Potentially Harmful Materials and Descriptions Statement
Online Resources
Events
Upcoming Events
Seminars
LCP News
LCP Press Resources
Projects
Beyond Glass Cases
Library Company Papers Project
Hearing Voices
Imperfect History
Fireside Chats
Support the Library
Overview
Donate Online!
Join & Renew Membership Online
Support: Shareholding
Lecture in Honor of John C. Van Horne
Membership Benefits
Planned Giving
Annual Dinner
Junto
About LCP
Annual Reports
Staff
Board of Trustees
Employment
Affiliations
LCP Blog
Press Resources
LCP Privacy Policy
Overview and History
LCP FAQ Sheet
"Father, I cannot tell a lie: I cut the tree" [graphic] / Painted by G.G. White; Eng[raved by] John McRae.
You are here
Browse Collections
›
African American History Graphics Collection
›
African American History Prints and Watercolors and Drawings
Back to top
Details
Creator
McRae, John, engraver.
Contributor
White, George G. (George Gorgas), -1898, artist.
Title
"Father, I cannot tell a lie: I cut the tree" [graphic] / Painted by G.G. White; Eng[raved by] John McRae.
Publisher
[New York] : [publisher not identified]
Publisher
N.Y. New York. 1860
Date
[1860]
Physical Description
1 print : engraving ; sheet 52 x 69 cm (20.25 x 27 in.)
Description
Genre scene of the fictitious moment when the young George Washington confesses to his father, Augustine, a plantation owner, that he cut a cherry tree on their Virginia plantation. Depicts Washington's father holding his son's hand and comforting him. George looks up at his father and points his left hand towards the cut tree in the right. On the ground is an ax and an upturned hat. In the background, an enslaved African American man plows the pasture with a team of oxen, and an enslaved African American man and woman couple stands near the gate of a cottage, probably their dwelling.
Notes
Title from date.
Date based on the active dates of engraver.
Gift of Mrs. Francis P. Garvan, 1978.
Description revised 2021.
Access points revised 2021.
Subject
Washington, Augustine, approximately 1694-1743 -- Portraits.
Washington, George, 1732-1799 -- Childhood and youth.
Washington, George, 1732-1799 -- Portraits.
African American couples -- Virginia.
African American men -- Virginia.
African American women -- Virginia.
Cherry trees -- Virginia.
Dwellings -- Virginia.
Honesty.
Plantations -- Virginia.
Plowing -- Virginia.
Enslaved persons -- Virginia.
Woodcutting -- Virginia.
Enslaved men -- Virginia.
Enslaved people -- Structures -- Virginia.
Enslaved women -- Virginia.
Genre
Engravings -- 1850-1860.
Genre prints -- 1850-1860.
Location
Library Company of Philadelphia| Print Department| **GC - Washington [8384.F.16]
Accession number
8384.F.16
In Collections
African American History Prints and Watercolors and Drawings
Log In