George Washington
Unknown Artist
ca. 1800
Medium
Bronze, brass
Dimensions
7 5/8 x 6 5/8 in. (19.4 x 16.8 cm)
Classification
Medallion
Department
The American Wing
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Theodore Roosevelt, 1877
Accession Number
77.1
Tags
Art Historical Context
This charming bronze and brass profile portrait of George Washington, by an unknown artist around 1800, captures the first U.S. President in a classical profile view, evoking ancient Roman coins and medallions. Measuring just 7⅝ × 6⅝ inches, it's a compact work likely intended as a personal or decorative object, showcasing fine metalworking techniques of the early American Republic. The use of bronze and brass—durable alloys prized for their luster and longevity—highlights the era's growing appreciation for sculptural portraiture inspired by European neoclassicism. Crafted shortly after Washi...