Medal of George Washington

Art Historical Context

This striking gilt copper medal, crafted by J. Crutchett sometime between 1800 and1883, honors George Washington, the revered first President of the United. Measuring a modest 3 3/4 x 3 3/4 inches, its circular form and profile portrait exemplify the neoclassical style popular in early American commemorative art. The gilding—thin gold applied over copper—lent an affordable yet luxurious sheen, making such tokens accessible to admirers while evoking the grandeur of classical coinage. Washington's image, captured in a dignified profile, reflects the immense cultural reverence for the "Father of His Country" following his death in 1799. Medals like this proliferated in the 19th century as symbols of national pride, often worn as jewelry or displayed in homes. Produced in the American Wing's era of focus, it underscores the era's fascination with heroic portraits that bridged Revolutionary ideals and emerging American identity. A generous gift to the Metropolitan Museum of Art from William H. Huntington in 1883, this piece invites visitors to ponder Washington's enduring legacy through tactile, everyday artistry.