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George Washington

1795
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 755
The Italian-born sculptor Giuseppe Ceracchi came to Philadelphia in 1791 hoping to earn a commission from the United States Congress for a monument commemorating the American Revolution. To demonstrate his skill and attract attention, he modeled portraits from life of George Washington (1732–1799) and other influential Americans, which were later carved in marble. Although Ceracchi did not receive the coveted order from Congress, many of Washington’s contemporaries considered this portrait among the most lifelike to be made. Its realism was a far cry from the idealization that typified most Neoclassical sculpture. Moreover, Ceracchi's proposal was deemed grandiose and provoked James Madison to describe him as: "an enthusiastic worshipper of Liberty and Fame [whose] soul was bent on securing the latter by rearing a monument to the former." Indeed, in spite of the unfamiliar accoutrements of an ancient Roman military hero, the facial features are distinctly recognizable.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: George Washington
  • Artist: Giuseppe Ceracchi (Italian, 1751–1802)
  • Date: 1795
  • Culture: Italian, Florence
  • Medium: Marble
  • Dimensions: Overall (with base): 28 7/8 × 22 × 13 in. (73.3 × 55.9 × 33 cm);
    Height (without base): 24 1/2 in. (62.2 cm)
  • Classification: Sculpture
  • Credit Line: Bequest of John L. Cadwalader, 1914
  • Object Number: 14.58.235
  • Curatorial Department: European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

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