Admiral George Dewey

Art Historical Context

This striking portrait print captures Admiral George Dewey, the celebrated U.S. Navy hero of the Spanish-American War. Created around 1898 by the Kurz & Allison Lithography Company, the image shows the mustached admiral in formal uniform, embodying the dignity and resolve that made him a national icon. As a lithograph, the work was designed for wide distribution, allowing Americans across the country to own a visual tribute to their victorious leader. Dewey’s fame stemmed from his decisive victory at the Battle of Manila Bay in May 1898, where his fleet swiftly defeated the Spanish squadron without losing a single American life. The timing of this print reflects the surge of patriotic pride that followed, transforming Dewey into a symbol of American naval power and expansion at the turn of the century. Kurz & Allison specialized in affordable commemorative prints that brought historic moments and figures into ordinary homes. Such lithographs played an important role in shaping public memory, blending fine-art traditions with emerging mass-production techniques. Today, this piece in the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery collection offers visitors a window into both the man and the era’s enthusiasm for military achievement.