George Washington
Medium
Marble
Dimensions
Height: 31 in. (78.7 cm)
Classification
Sculpture
Culture
French
Department
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Bequest of Helen Hay Whitney, 1944
Accession Number
45.128.2
Tags
Art Historical Context
This elegant marble bust of *George Washington*, created in 1781 by sculptor Louis Jacques Pilon collaboration with American artist Charles Willson Peale, captures revolutionary hero at a pivotal moment in history. Standing 31 inches tall, it exemplifies neoclassical portraiture, where marble's luminous white surface conveys dignity and timeless virtue—ideals central to Enlightenment-era sculpture. Produced during the American Revolution, the work reflects France's crucial alliance with the colonies, as Parisian artisans like Pilon immortalized American leaders to symbolize shared aspirations ...
About the Artist
Louis Jacques Pilon|Charles Willson Peale (French|American) · 1741 |1741 –1806 |1827
French, 1741–after 1806|American, Chester, Maryland 1741–1827 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania