Image size: 20" x 36"
Overall framed size: 29" x 45"
Medium: oil on masonite
SOLD

About the painting:

In the summer of 1777, General George Washington was encamped on the Ridge at Middlebrook, near Bound Brook, NJ with 6,000 men. The British army was stationed in the surrounding country in the towns of New Brunswick and Perth Amboy.

Washington and his aide-de-camp were both on horseback and on their way to the top of the Watchung Mountains. They came upon a group of men at the Jonah Vail farm. Washington asked if any of the men could guide him to a spot on the mountains which had a commanding view of the plain below.

Edward Fitz-Randolph, one of the men in the group said he knew of the best vantage point and offered to guide the General but did not have a horse. The aide-de-camp offered his horse at the General's request and Fitz-Randolph guided the General to the rock for which the park is named. From this vantage point, Washington had an unobstructed view of Perth Amboy and New Brunswick and he could also see the British fleet movements in the lower New York harbor.

There are several lookouts along the top of the Watchung Mountains which all share claims that General George Washington once stood on them, spyglass in hand, seeking a glimpse of the British. Washington Rock State Park in New Jersey was created in 1913 to commemorate the historical events of 1777 and is one of the oldest state parks in NJ.

About the artist:

“I’m inspired to portray characters from American history - native people, explorers, and pioneers who settled and crossed this continent, and their interaction. They represent the true grit and individual spirit that molded this country. The scenes and characters that I paint hopefully make the viewer more aware of their contributions.”

Kevin McDonald has always had an interest in history and enjoys the historical research and taking his own reference photos for his painting projects. Kevin had a professional career that included corporate advertising for over 40 years, including working for Fortune 500 companies as a graphic designer, illustrator, web-designer and art director. He lives near Allentown, PA.