Allegory on the Death of George Washington 1800 Jacques Kuyper Jacques Kuyper produced this drawing as a frontispiece design for the printed edition of a eulogy composed upon the death of George Washington by the Dutch writer, philosopher, and lawyer Johannes Kinker (1764-1845).1 The image appears to be an allegory of the creation of the eulogy, written in the form of a lyric poem—both ode and lament. The female figure seated beside Washington’s tomb holds a writing implement and a tablet, seemingly pausing to receive inspiration, or instruction, from the winged creature behind her gesturing toward the gravestone. Amidst the swirling clouds and streaming light, a lyre (symbol of lyric poetry) appears. At lower left is the seal of Amsterdam’s Felix Meritis Society, where Kinker delivered the eulogy in March of 1800. Established in 1776 to promote the arts and sciences, this society embraced the Enlightenment ideals with which Washington and his young nation were associated. Kuyper was