George Washington after Jean-Antoine Houdon
George Washington, ca. 1860-1905
After Jean-Antoine Houdon, by F. Barbedienne for Tiffany & Co
Cast for the Washington and Lee University, Lexington, Virginia, and given in memory of Abraham Coles, M.D.A.M., Ph.D., L.D.D. by his son J. Ackerman Coles, A.B., A.M., MD., L.L.D., Columbia University, NY., U1905.2.1
In 1785, Virginia Governor Benjamin Harrison commissioned French sculptor Jean-Antoine Houdon to create a life-size full-length sculpture of George Washington - Virginia native and hero of the American Revolution. That original is now located in the rotunda of the Virginia State Capitol in Richmond. In preparation for the full-length work, Houdon spent time at Washington’s home Mount Vernon, where he took the general's measurements and made a life mask. He also modeled a clay portrait bust, which he presented to Washington as a gift before returning to France, where Houdon made and sold many other versions of that bust in various mediums. Later in the 19th century, other artists and foundries made copies and castings of Houdon’s original work.
W&L has four 19th century copies in its collection. This bust, on view in Washington Hall, was cast by F. Barbedienne of New York for Tiffany & Company. It is engraved on the back: "Cast for Washington and Lee University, Lexington, Virginia." It was donated by J. Ackerman Coles (1843 - 1925) in memory of his father Abraham Coles (1813 - 1891). Both were physians and philanthropists in Newark, New Jersey. Following the death of his father, Coles gifted many classical and historical sculptures in his memory to educational and public insitutions around the world, including this bust of Washington after Houdon.