HOUDON, Jean-Antoine
(b. 1741, Versailles, d. 1828, Paris)

George Washington

1788
Marble, lifesize
State Capitol, Richmond, Virginia

Commissioned by the parliament of Virginia, Thomas Jefferson had ordered the statue direct from the sculptor, who had then traveled to America in the company of Benjamin Franklin to make Washington's likeness. Jefferson placed particular emphasis on Washington being presented lifesize: there was to be no exaggeration, and he was not to appear divine or regal, but just as the first among equals, the statesman citizen.