George Washington (1790, cast 1922)

by Jean Antoine Houdon (1741 - 1828)

Photo Caption: Photo Alec Rogers for the Association for Public Art
  • Title

    George Washington

  • Artist

    Jean Antoine Houdon (1741 - 1828)

  • Year

    original marble c. 1790, cast c. 1922; relocated 1954

  • Location

    Washington Square, Walnut Street between 6th and 7th Streets

  • Medium

    Bronze, on granite base

  • Dimensions

    Height 6’7 1/2″, width 3'3", depth 2'8" (base height 2'9", width 4'1/2", depth 3'3-1/2")

  • Themes

    The American Revolution, Military Generals, Presidents and Leaders, Political Public Art

Gift of John D. McIlhenny to the Philadelphia Museum of Art

Owned by Independence National Historical Park/National Park Service

At A Glance

  • Jean Antoine Houdon’s full-figure sculpture of George Washington in Washington Square Park

  • One of three castings in existence

  • The figure was to be the first monumental sculptural effort of the new nation

  • Houdon was considered one of the finest sculptors in Europe

Jean Antoine Houdon came to America with Benjamin Franklin in 1785 to model a full-figure sculpture of George Washington. Houdon, then considered one of the finest sculptors in Europe, had recently completed a bust of Franklin, who was serving as ambassador to France. The figure of Washington was to be the first monumental sculptural effort of the new nation, of “finest marble and best workmanship.” The original clay model was completed in 1788; the stone was carved between 1788 and 1791; and the statue was set on its pedestal in the Virginia State House, Richmond, in 1796.

This casting, one of three in existence, was donated to the Philadelphia Museum of Art by John McIlhenny in memory of his father. In 1954 it was given to the Fairmount Park Commission and installed in Washington Square.

Adapted from Public Art in Philadelphia by Penny Balkin Bach (Temple University Press, Philadelphia, 1992).

George Washington statue
Photo Alec Rogers © 2014 for the Association for Public Art

 

RESOURCES:

Loading map...

More artworks