George Washington

Art Historical Context

This finely detailed Parian porcelain sculpture ofGeorge Washington*, created around 1876 by sculptor Isaac Broome and produced the esteemed Trenton, New Jersey firm Ott & Brewer, stands as a quintessential example of American decorative arts. Measuring 11 x 6¼ x 5⅜ inches, the unglazed bisque ware emulates the smooth, luminous quality of marble, making classical portraiture accessible to middle-class households. Now housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's American Wing, it was generously gifted by William H. Huntington in 1883. Crafted during the United States' Centennial celebrations marking 100 years since independence, the piece channels the era's patriotic revival. Parian porcelain, popular from the 1840s onward, allowed manufacturers like Ott & Brewer—pioneers in American ceramics—to replicate intricate details of Washington's noble features, from his powdered wig to resolute expression, at a fraction of carved marble's cost. As a portrait bust, it underscores Washington's iconic status as the "Father of His Country," evoking Revolutionary ideals amid post-Civil War nation-building. Such sculptures adorned parlors nationwide, blending artistry with cultural reverence and highlighting the ingenuity of 19th-century American potters.

About the Artist

Isaac Broome|Ott and Brewer · 1836–1922

1835–1922|