Robert Riggs
American, 1896–1970
American, 1896–1970
George Washington in Marine Procession for New York Presidential Inauguration, 1938-1945
Oil on Renaissance Panel
17 3/4 × 36 in
45.1 × 91.4 cm
The scene depicts George Washington, en route to Federal Hall in New York City, April 30, 1789, as he arrives at the Battery. The pomp and pageantry with red carpet and stairs are in full view. Cheering crowds joyously wave flags and military personnel at attention, ceremoniously prepare to receive Washington's boat. The extravagance of the scene and peak moment of drama depicted is wholly appropriate for the occasion. The complexity of the composition, packed with people and a color scheme of red, white and blue show that Riggs is not just a technically brilliant artist, graphic designer but a thinker on a grand scale. Notice how wonderfully Riggs has composed the scene as flags and gesturing people lead your eye right to Washington. It's a motion picture in one scene. Done in the late 1930's or early 1940’s , this work has an epic production look and grandeur of a Cecil B. DeMille movie set. Yet, it’s a one man production. Robert Riggs is the director, art director and set and costume director. Notice the variety of period flags and costumes all rendered in perfect form. There was no quick way to Google that in the 1930's and to get an accurate reference of all the detail must have been a grand undertaken. Finally, Riggs is able to obtain a likeness of Washington in small scale and in profile. Among Riggs other prodigious artistic talents, he is also a great portrait painter... even in miniature.
Signature: Signed Riggs lower right.
American History Magazine, January 1989
Since Riggs died in 1970, it's clear that American History Magazine picked up this image as stock for a one-time cover publication. The work was most likely done for a main stream magazine like Fortune, Life or another newsstand publication of note.
Illustration House, South Norwalk,. Connecticut
Oil on Renaissance Panel
17 3/4 × 36 in
45.1 × 91.4 cm
The scene depicts George Washington, en route to Federal Hall in New York City, April 30, 1789, as he arrives at the Battery. The pomp and pageantry with red carpet and stairs are in full view. Cheering crowds joyously wave flags and military personnel at attention, ceremoniously prepare to receive Washington's boat. The extravagance of the scene and peak moment of drama depicted is wholly appropriate for the occasion. The complexity of the composition, packed with people and a color scheme of red, white and blue show that Riggs is not just a technically brilliant artist, graphic designer but a thinker on a grand scale. Notice how wonderfully Riggs has composed the scene as flags and gesturing people lead your eye right to Washington. It's a motion picture in one scene. Done in the late 1930's or early 1940’s , this work has an epic production look and grandeur of a Cecil B. DeMille movie set. Yet, it’s a one man production. Robert Riggs is the director, art director and set and costume director. Notice the variety of period flags and costumes all rendered in perfect form. There was no quick way to Google that in the 1930's and to get an accurate reference of all the detail must have been a grand undertaken. Finally, Riggs is able to obtain a likeness of Washington in small scale and in profile. Among Riggs other prodigious artistic talents, he is also a great portrait painter... even in miniature.
Signature: Signed Riggs lower right.
American History Magazine, January 1989
Since Riggs died in 1970, it's clear that American History Magazine picked up this image as stock for a one-time cover publication. The work was most likely done for a main stream magazine like Fortune, Life or another newsstand publication of note.
Illustration House, South Norwalk,. Connecticut
Other works by this artist:
