| George Washington (Houdon) | |
|---|---|
 | |
 | |
| Artist | Copy of Houdon bust |
| Year | 1932 (1932) |
| Type | bust, sculpture |
| Dimensions | 64 cm × 46 cm × 46 cm (25 in × 18 in × 18 in) |
| Location | Indiana Statehouse, Indianapolis |
| Owner | Indiana Historical Bureau |
George Washington (bust by Houdon) is a public artwork that is a limited edition copy of an originalwork by Frenchneoclassical sculptorJean Antoine Houdon[1] that is on display inside theIndiana Statehouse, which is located inIndianapolis, Indiana, United States. The artwork was cast a solid piece ofplaster that has been painted white.[2]
This piece is a bust of the first president of the United States,George Washington. It is made of white plaster, and its dimensions are 25 inches (64 cm) by 18 inches (46 cm) by 18 inches (46 cm).[2] Washington is portrayed in atoga type drape, gazing upward to the proper left. Washington has no facial lines, and his hair is swept to the rear of his head in a pony tail. On the rear of the bust's base an inscription that reads "1732–1932 George Washington Bicentennial Commission." This bust is a copy of an original bust created from life by French sculptor Houdon.
George Washington was one of theFounding Fathers of the United States, and the first president of the United States. Washington was a statesman, soldier, andsurveyor. He was also theCommander-in-chief theArmy from June 15, 1775, to December 23, 1783, then again from July 3, 1798, to December 14, 1798. Washington was elected President of the United States and served in that role from April 30, 1789, until March 3, 1797.[2]
The original bust was sculpted by French sculptor Jean Antoine Houdon in 1785 at George Washington's home,Mount Vernon, inVirginia. It is believed that Washington posed for the original sculpture. This bust was used as the primary image of George Washington for the Bicentennial Celebration of the first president's birthday in 1932, which was held from February 22 untilThanksgiving of the same year. Theinscription on the rear of the bust refers to the Bicentennial Commission that was formed to oversee the celebration. The chief executive officer of the Commission was the HonorableSol Bloom, who was a member of theUS Congress fromNew York State. PresidentHerbert Hoover was the chairman of the commission.[1]
The legal status of this piece is the Statehouse Inventories, and the credit line is through theIndiana Historical Bureau with an identification number of 99.2006.020.0069.[2]
Originally, this piece was sighted as being placed in analcove on the second floor of the Statehouse building,[clarification needed] on the outside of therotunda. It also used to have abronze nameplate underneath.[2] Currently, the piece sits in an alcove on the 4th floor of the Indiana Statehouse, and the bronze name plate is not currently being displayed with the bust.
Jean Antoine Houdon was born March 20, 1742, inVersailles. He was a sculptor in the Neoclassical style and is considered to be the most famous sculptor of the latter half of the 18th century in France.[3] Houdon was famous for his busts and portrait statues of inventors,philosophers, andpolitical figures of theEnlightenment. Houdon also created sculptures of other famous American founding fathers, includingBenjamin Franklin andThomas Jefferson.
The current condition of the sculpture is good, per assessment completed in April 2006.[2]
39°46′07″N86°09′45″W / 39.76848°N 86.16254°W /39.76848; -86.16254
