The Inauguration of Washington as First President of the United States, April 30th 1789 – At the Old City Hall, New York – The oath of office was administered by Chancellor Livingston of the States of New York – Mr. Otis the Secretary of the Senate holding up the Bible on a crimson cushion.

Art Historical Context

This vibrant hand-colored lithograph by the renowned firm Currier & Ives captures a pivotal moment in American history George Washington's inauguration as the first President of the States on April 30 1789, at New York's Old City Hall. detailed scene shows Chancellor Livingston administering the oath of, with Senate Secretary Mr. Otis holding the Bible aloft on a crimson cushion—a symbol of solemnity and continuity. Surrounding Washington are dignitaries, swords at their sides, evoking the revolutionary spirit and the birth of the republic. Produced in 1876, during the nation's centennial celebrations, the print reflects Currier & Ives' mastery of affordable, mass-produced lithographs that brought historical events into American homes. Their hand-coloring technique added lifelike vibrancy to the black-and-white stone lithography, making scenes like this both accessible and collectible. At roughly 9 by 12 inches, it exemplifies the firm's role in shaping national identity through patriotic imagery. Today, housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, this work underscores Washington's enduring legacy as a unifying figure, blending factual depiction with 19th-century romanticism to inspire awe in viewers.