Although the first president of the United States, George Washington, was often painted during his lifetime, few of the extant pictures have such a clear provenance as this miniature being sold by Christie's in New York next Friday. The work, a watercolour on ivory in a gold frame, is the work of Dublin-born artist John Ramage (1748-1802) who emigrated from this country and settled first in Boston before moving to New York.

It was in the latter city that he painted Washington; the president recorded in his diary for October 3rd that year "Sat for Mr Rammage (sic) for near two-hours today, who is painting a portrait in miniature of me for Mrs Washington." Ramage was subsequently forced by debt to move to Canada, dying in Montreal where he bequeathed a copy of the painting to a friend; this is now owned by a museum attached to the University of Vermont.

As for the original, it remained in the possession of members of Mrs Washington's family until early in the 20th century and when offered for the first time at public auction on Friday, is expected to make in the region of $1 million.