George Washington Houdon Analysis

Jean-Antoine Houdon’s statue of George Washington is a life-sized marble carving which stands in Virginia State Capitol in Richmond, Virginia, USA. It was commissioned in 1784 by the Virginia General Assembly, and completed in 1792. Houdon’s statue of Washington depicts Washington as realistically as possible. He is shown not as an perfect figure, but as man with physical flaws. This does not, however, detract from displaying him as a powerful figure. In this sculpture Washington is shown with a realistic body, wearing military uniform, leaning against a bundle of sticks and with a plow behind him.

While it was popular with other neo-classical works, Washington did not want to be portrayed in a Roman toga. However, roman influence is still