It took a transatlantic visit and a little flattery to encourage George Washington to sit for Jean-Antoine Houdon, one of the preeminent European sculptors of the 18th century.
As Thomas Jefferson described, Jean-Antoine Houdon possessed the “reputation of being the finest statuary in the world.” Well versed in capturing famous faces from the King Louis XV of France to Voltaire, Houdon was “enthusiastically fond of being the executor of this work,”[1] and needed to see the illustrious subject in person in the hopes of “forming the bust from life.”[2]
The chance of Washington crossing the Atlantic to see Monsieur Houdon for the express purpose of having a bust made was preposterous. Knowing their esteemed friend’s full calendar and impatience with matters that could be described as of little import, Jefferson and Franklin judiciously employed a little polite puffery to get the job done. Appealing to Washington’s penchant for fastidious record-keeping, they stressed that it was imperative to document his likeness for posterity.
After arriving at Mount Vernon on October 2, 1785, Houdon stayed for two weeks. Undeniably swept up into the rhythm of daily life on the estate, such immersion not only allowed the sculptor to study Washington’s facial features, but also to become acquainted with the nuanced shift in the General’s expression and mood, as well as the details of Washington’s choice of attire.
Making the Life Mask
Desiring the most accurate likeness possible, Houdon wished to create a “life mask” of the General. Washington’s diary entry from October 10, 1785, indicates that he was fascinated by the process, and thoroughly documented the materials and method by which the plaster was prepared that day.
In the servant’s hall adjacent to the Mansion, the General had laid down on a wooden table. His hair was pulled back, covered by a towel, while a large sheet protected his clothes. Oil was generously applied to his face, so that the hardened plaster of the mask would not adhere to his skin. Two large quills were placed inside each of the General’s nostrils to ensure he could breathe.[3] Young Eleanor (Nelly) Parke Custis, Washington’s step-granddaughter, looking for her grandpapa, happened upon his white-clad, still form, laid out on the table like a corpse. Immediately distressed, Nelly was rapidly comforted by those present that her grandfather was still indeed alive and well.[4]
Houdon's Terracotta Bust of Washington
After Houdon prepared the cast of Washington’s face, the mold was left to dry. The interior of the mask was then coated with oil, and wet plaster poured back into it. The original, negative mold, would be chipped away, leaving Washington’s exact, three-dimensional likeness.
From this study, Houdon would create the famed Washington terracotta bust and the nearly twenty other Washington busts attributed to him.[5] Hailed as the most authentic likeness of the General, the bust in the collection of the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association is the original.
FAQs
Houdon traveled to America, and stayed for a fortnight at Mount Vernon, in October 1785. While there, he created a terracotta bust of Washington and executed a life mask of him.
What was Jean-Antoine Houdon's sculpture of George Washington made of? ›
Given Houdon's skill and ambition, the sculptor likely hoped to cast a larger-than-life-sized bronze statue of General Washington on horseback, a format appropriate for a victorious field commander. However, the final product, delivered more than a decade later, was a comparatively simple standing marble.
What did Houdon use as a prototype for the sculpture of George Washington? ›
Explanation: Houdon used classical athletes as prototype for the sculpture above. Jean-Antoine Houdon was a French neoclassical sculptor. Houdon is famous for his portrait busts and statues of philosophers, inventors and political figures of the Enlightenment.
What is the most accurate likeness of George Washington? ›
George Washington is a statue by the French sculptor Jean-Antoine Houdon from the late 18th century. Based on a life mask and other measurements of George Washington taken by Houdon, it is considered one of the most accurate depictions of the subject.
Who had a death mask? ›
Death masks were taken not only of deceased royalty and nobility (Henry VIII, Sforza), but also of eminent people: composers, dramaturges, military and political leaders, philosophers, poets, and scientists, such as Dante Alighieri, Ludwig van Beethoven, Max Reger, Napoleon Bonaparte (whose death mask was taken on the ...
What was George Washington's face scarred from? ›
Washington himself was no stranger to smallpox; while traveling in Barbados in 1751, he contracted the disease while staying with Gedney Clarke. However, Washington did not keep a record of his illness. His case was mild, leaving him with scarring on his nose.
What was Jean-Antoine Houdon known for? ›
Jean-Antoine Houdon was a French sculptor known for his fresh and lively portrayals of such eighteenth-century American luminaries as Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and George Washington.
What is the most accurate sculpture of George Washington? ›
Houdon's Terracotta Bust of Washington
The interior of the mask was then coated with oil, and wet plaster poured back into it. The original, negative mold, would be chipped away, leaving Washington's exact, three-dimensional likeness.
What are the fasces in Houdon's sculpture of George Washington a reference to? ›
In the first model, Washington wears a military uniform and holds a walking stick while his sword hangs nearby. In the second model, Washington wears classical Roman garments and holds a bundle of fasces (an ancient Roman symbol that represents civil authority and strength through unity).
Who was Cincinnatus who was the statue of George Washington by Houdon contains a symbolic reference to? ›
This refers to the story of Cincinnatus, a Roman dictator who resigned his absolute power when his leadership was no longer needed so that he could return to his farm. Like this Roman, Washington resigned his power and returned to his farm to live a peaceful, civilian life.
Horatio Greenough was one of the first American sculptors to receive international recognition for his talents as an artist and is perhaps best remembered for his colossal statue of George Washington.
Is there a statue of George Washington Carver? ›
Young George Washington Carver statue on the Carver trail. Robert Amendola sculpted this tribute to young George Washington Carver in 1961 and entitled it “Boy Carver Statue.” The statue depicts George tenderly cradling a plant in his left hand, illustrating his love and respect for nature.
What was George Washington like as a boy? ›
George's childhood was modest. He lived in a six-room house crowded with beds and frequent visitors. From what evidence we have, George seems to have been happy as a child, spending much of his time outdoors. In 1743, Augustine Washington died.
Did George Washington have a good personality? ›
Washington had a strong moral character
Observed Abigail Adams, wife of Washington's vice president, John Adams: "He is polite with dignity, affable without formality, distant without haughtiness, grave without austerity; modest, wise and good." Washington's lofty reputation was upheld by his actions.
Was George Washington a nice president? ›
George Washington is generally accepted as a good leader. He was able to recognize the importance of his office and acted in the best interest of the country as opposed to acting in the interest of himself.
What is the oldest surviving mask in the world? ›
The Israel Museum, Jerusalem. Jerusalem, Israel
The carved human face belongs to a very rare group of stone masks, dating back 9,000 years, found in the Judean Desert and on its outskirts.
Did George Washington know he was dying? ›
By late afternoon, Washington knew he was dying and asked for his will. Washington's last words, said Lear, were spoken around 10 p.m. on December 14: “I am just going! Have me decently buried; and do not let my body be put into the vault less than three days after I am dead.” Then, “Do you understand me? . . .
What does George Washington actually look like? ›
Is that what George Washington really looked like? Since there were no photographs in George Washington's day, we cannot know exactly what he looked like. He had “a large and straight nose,” wrote someone who knew him in 1760. “His face is long rather than broad, with high round cheekbones.
As Thomas Jefferson described, Jean-Antoine Houdon possessed the “reputation of being the finest statuary in the world.” Well versed in capturing famous faces from the King Louis XV of France to Voltaire, Houdon was “enthusiastically fond of being the executor of this work,”[1] and needed to see the illustrious subject in person in the hopes of “forming the bust from life.”[2]