General Washington

Art Historical Context

In the American Wing of the Metropolitan Museum Art, the delicate brass medal *General Washington* (ca. 1867), crafted by engraver Ludwig Christian Lauer captures the enduring reverence for America's first president. Measuring just 3/4 inch in diameter, this intimate portrait likely features George Washington in profile, flanked by patriotic eagles—symbols of strength and freedom that adorned countless 19th-century American artifacts. Lauer's precise engraving technique on brass highlights his skill as a Philadelphia-based medalist, known for producing finely detailed commemorative pieces during a time of national healing after the Civil War. Created around 1867, the medal reflects the post-war surge in Washington idolatry, as the nation sought unifying heroes amid Reconstruction. Such small-scale works were popular as campaign buttons, watch fobs, or personal talismans, blending portraiture with emblematic motifs to evoke founding ideals. Gifted to the Met in 1908 by Mr. and Mrs. F. S. Wait, it exemplifies everyday expressions of American identity. This tiny treasure invites visitors to ponder how everyday objects preserved the Founders' legacy, bridging 18th-century valor with 19th-century optimism.