# George Washington American President Portrait Bust by Houdon 11H

## A Washington Houdon Bust: The Likeness Taken from Life

This Washington Houdon bust preserves a face the sculptor studied from life at Mount Vernon. It stands 11 in high in cast resin, with a bronze finish and a black base.

**Jean-Antoine Houdon** made the original in 1785. This Washington Houdon bust follows it closely. Many art historians call it the most authentic rendering of George Washington.

### Product Details

-   **Material:** Cast resin
-   **Finish:** Bronze, with black base
-   **Dimensions:** 11 in H x 7 in W x 5 in D
-   **Weight:** 4.2 lbs
-   **Origin:** Made in USA
-   **Style:** Bronze Washington desk bust, first president statue
-   **Product number:** 314B

## A Commission from Virginia

The legislature of Virginia commissioned a statue of Washington. Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin arranged for Houdon to make it.

Houdon reached Mount Vernon on October 2, 1785, with three assistants. He stayed about two weeks.

## A Face Cast in Plaster

About October 10, Houdon made a life mask of Washington in plaster. Washington lay still with straws in his nose, so the sculptor measured the eyes by caliper.

Houdon gave Washington the clay bust as a gift. It is still at Mount Vernon. The Houdon Washington statue went to the Virginia Capitol in Richmond.

This first president statue in bust form joins the [American Presidents Collection](https://www.museumize.com/collections/culture-american-usa-presidents). A bronze Washington desk bust also suits a study.

## Display and Care

At 4.2 lbs, the Washington Houdon bust sits well on a desk, shelf, or bookcase. Dust the bronze Washington desk bust with a soft dry cloth. Keep it away from damp air.

## Jean-Antoine Houdon in Brief

Houdon was the leading French portrait sculptor of his day. The Houdon Washington statue in Virginia and his busts still set the standard image of Washington.

## For More Reading from the Web

-   Follow Houdon's two weeks at Mount Vernon, from life mask to the clay bust Washington kept. [Jean-Antoine Houdon - George Washington's Mount Vernon](https://www.mountvernon.org/library/digitalhistory/digital-encyclopedia/article/jean-antoine-houdon/)
-   See how the 1785 life mask was made, straws and all, at the Morgan Library. [George Washington Life Mask - The Morgan Library and Museum](https://www.themorgan.org/collection/George-Washington-Life-Mask)

## Details

- **Price:** 295.0 USD
- **Vendor:** Museum Masterworks
- **Type:** Statues
- **Tags:** culture-american-usa-presidents, material-bronze-finish, size-medium-12-to-23-in, statues

## Variants

| Variant | Price | Available |
|---------|-------|-----------|
| Default Title | 295.00 USD | In stock |

## Images

- George Washington American President Portrait Bust by Houdon 11H

---

> Source: [Museumize.com](https://www.museumize.com/products/washington-houdon-bust)
> Updated: 2026-10-30