Dennis Lyall (American, B. 1946) "George Washington" Signed and dated lower right. Original Oil painting on Canvas. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting is the original painting which was published on the Fleetwood First Day Cover for The Signers of the Constitution Collection issued on September 17, 1987. George Washington -- "Father of His Country" -- stands alone as the man most responsible for the founding of freedom in the United States. At the age of twenty, he was commissioned a major in the Virginia militia. In 1754, Washington won the rank of lieutenant colonel and then colonel in the militia. He resigned his commission late in 1754, but re-entered military service the following year as an aide to General Braddock. As a reward for his bravery in this position, Washington rewon his rank of colonel and command of the Virginia militia forces. In early 1759, he resigned again and headed back to Mount Vernon, where he managed his plantations and sat in the Virginia House of Burgesses. Washington represented Virginia in the First and Second Continental Congresses. Congress then appointed him as Commander in Chief of the Continental Army. Overcoming severe obstacles, he won a climactic victory at the Battle of Yorktown, in 1781. Once the Treaty of Paris was signed in 1783, he resigned once again. In 1787, he presided over the Constitutional Convention, and the success of the Convention was immeasurably influenced by his presence and dignity. Following ratification of the new government, the electoral college unanimously chose Washington as the first President of the United States. Although many people encouraged him to seek a third term, he was weary of politics and refused to do so. Washington died at the age of sixty-seven in 1799. Image Size: 15 x 13.25 in. Overall Size: 20.5 x 18.5 in. Unframed. (B10868)