George Washington
Jean-Antoine Hudson. 1788-1792 C.E. United States. Marble
The statue, with all of its elements, skillfully combines ancient and modern styles to illustrate both military and civilian virtues. When Houdon completed the statue, he inscribed the base simply with "George Washington" and his own name and a date.
Artist: Jean Antoine Houdon
Patron: None
Location: United States
Date: 1788-1792
Style: American Neoclassical
Medium: Marble Sculpture In-The-Round
Movement: Neoclassical
Form: Neoclassicism
- White marble
- Contraposto
- Symbolic details
- Form
- Washington is seen wearing street clothing (fatherly expression)
- Symbolized power and authority as he holds his sword
- not having the sword in hand = given up his military and presidential careers
Function: Sculpture
Content: Marble sculpture of George Washington
Context: Made after the American Revolution
- At this time it was popular to commission the depiction of war heroes
- Washington;s depiction was inspired by his choice to retire from his military position and precedency in order to pursue farming instead and allow his country to develop
- Statue ordered = Virginia Governor
- Sculpted = French Artist
- No practiced American sculptors
- French people idealized the fore-fathers of America
Cross Cultural Comparison
Sculpture of Washington is that by Horatio Greenough.
