early life and career edward william j. savage was an american portrait painter and engraver, born in princeton, massachusetts, in 1761. initially, he worked as a goldsmith and practiced engraving, but his true passion lay in painting. despite having no formal training in painting, savage gained prominence in 1790 through his portrait of george washington, intended as a gift to harvard university. artistic training and influences in 1791, savage visited london, where he studied under the renowned artist benjamin west. this experience had a significant impact on his artistic style, as evident…