-
Title
-
Bust of George Washington
-
Description
-
Washington's bust is crafted from Carrara marble and portrays George Washington adorned in a classical Roman toga, with short wavy hair. The sculpture bears resemblance to images of Caesar, yet the facial features are a widely recognized representation of Washington. Initially, the bust created by Ceracchi was crafted from terracotta in 1791, but he completed the marble version in 1794, with modifications made during a sitting with Washington in 1795.
-
Coordinates
-
1000 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY
-
Location
-
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City, New York
-
Note
-
Antonio Canova used this bust as a reference in the design of the image of Washington featured in his monument to the founding father, which was constructed for the North Carolina State House in 1821. Ceracchi left the bust as a supposed gift for the President, but Washington had it returned when Ceracchi sent him a bill for $1,500. It was sold to José de Jàudenes y Nebot before Ceracchi left America again in 1795. It was acquired by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York in 1914 through a bequest from John Cadwalader.
-
Abstract
-
Giuseppe Céracchi's bust of George Washington was crafted over 1791-1795 as the two sat together. The bust portrays Washington as a Roman military hero and this likeness served as a reference for Antonio Canova in the creation of his monument to the President. The Metropolitan Museum of Art acquired the bust in 1914, where it remains housed.
-
Creator
-
Giuseppe Céracchi|217
-
Date
-
1795
-
Medium
-
Carrara Marble
-
Date Modified
-
1914
-
Subject
-
George Washington
