George Beck (artist) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
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| Born | 1749 England |
| Died | December 24, 1812 |
| Nationality | American |
George Beck (1749 – December 24, 1812) was an artist and poet who lived in America during its early years as a country. He was known for his beautiful paintings and his poems.
About George Beck
George Beck was born in England in 1749. He taught mathematics in a place called Woolwich. In 1795, he moved to the United States.
His Life and Work
After moving to America, George Beck started painting many pictures. One of his famous paintings is The Great Falls of the Potomac (1796). This painting was bought by President George Washington himself! Washington displayed the painting in his home at Mount Vernon, where it can still be seen today.
Besides painting, Beck also wrote short poems. He translated poems from famous ancient writers like Anacreon, Homer, Virgil, and Horace. In 1812, he published a book called Observations on the Comet.
In 1795, he also worked as a scout for General Anthony Wayne.
George Beck and his wife, Mary Menessier Beck, were both artists. They ran a school for girls in Lexington, Kentucky, for many years. George Beck passed away in Lexington on December 24, 1812.
His Art and Recognition
When George Beck died, the Kentucky Gazette newspaper wrote about him. It praised his nature paintings, saying they were among the best of his time. However, George Beck often did not get enough credit for his amazing artwork. He spent his later years working hard at the school he ran.
Even though he didn't always get the recognition he deserved, his paintings of wild nature and western landscapes were highly valued. His works, like "The Potomac River Breaking through the Blue Ridge" and "The Great Falls of the Potomac," were bought by George Washington in 1797. Many of Beck's large paintings decorated the walls of the New Room at Mount Vernon.
