Bust of George Washington, c. 1853
Hiram Powersexpand_more
Marbleexpand_more
Gift of the Minneapolis Tower Companyexpand_more 51.41a,b
On View in Gallery 332expand_more
This distinguished bust of President George Washington (1732-99) was created in the 1850s by one of the first great American sculptors, Hiram Powers, who looked for inspiration at a similar bust of Washington done from life in 1785 by the famous French sculptor, John-Antoine Houdon (1741-1828). Here a resolute Washington is portrayed in the popular neoclassical style of the time, draped in a toga giving him the appearance of a noble sage and hero from ancient Greece or Rome. The bust descended in the Drexel family of Philadelphia until 1929 when it was installed in the Foshay Tower, an obelisk in downtown Minneapolis that was modeled after the Washington Monument.
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Details
- Title
- Bust of George Washington
- Artist Life
- American, 1805-1873
- Role
- Artist
- Accession Number
- 51.41a,b
- Curator Approved
This record has been reviewed by our curatorial staff but may be incomplete. These records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.
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