This well known portrait of Washington, Lafayette, and Tilghman at Yorktown by Charles Willson Peale (1784) [MSA SC 1545-1120] is currently on exhibit in the Old Senate Chamber of the State House.

1934 Catalogue of Paintings in the State HouseElectronic Catalogue of Annapolis Collection

The Annapolis Collection includes over 1,000 items that span Maryland history from the Colonial era to the present day. The collection originated in 1781 when the state legislature commissioned artist Charles Willson Peale to paint "a whole length portrait of His Excellency General Washington with the portraits of the Marquis de la Fayette and Col. Tilghman" for one hundred guineas. Washington, Lafayette, and Tilghman at Yorktown (shown above) was completed in 1784 and still hangs in the State House, the building for which it was commissioned over two hundred years ago.

The tradition of state commissioned artwork continues from the eighteenth century into the present day.  Portraits of governors and legislators are still  commissioned and acquired by the Commission on Artistic Property.  Many of these works hang in the State House and other buildings throughout the Annapolis complex.

In addition to portraiture, the Annapolis Collection contains exceptional examples of American decorative arts. On display in the Old Senate Chamber of the State House are many of the original furnishings created for the room by renowned Annapolis cabinetmaker John Shaw (1745-1829). The striking U.S.S. Maryland Silver Service, designed and executed by Samuel Kirk and Sons of Baltimore, is displayed in the Maryland Silver Room of the State House.  Numerous additional examples of American fine art and decorative arts are on display in Government House, the residence of the Governor of Maryland.

There is a long tradition of display and use of Annapolis Collection items in Government House.  Over 200 items from the Collection are currently at Government House, including paintings, furniture, silver, ceramics, and textiles.
 

At right: The Sharpe Family (c.1753), Gawen Hamilton. Oil on Canvas. [MSA SC 1545-1212] Currently on view in the State Dining Room of Government House. Portrait of the Sharpe Family

[ Archives' Home Page || Visitors' Center || Search the Archives || Staff Directory || Maryland & Its Government || Maryland Manual On-Line || Reference & Research || Education & Outreach || Government House || State Art Collection || Archives of Maryland ]

Governor    General Assembly    Judiciary     Maryland Electronic Capital

 © Copyright September 27, 2000Maryland State Archives