{"product_id":"george-washington-bust","title":"George Washington American President Portrait Bust by Houdon Bronze Finish 24H","description":"\u003csection\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eGeorge Washington Bust: A Presidential Portrait by Houdon\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis \u003cstrong\u003eGeorge Washington bust\u003c\/strong\u003e is a faithful replica of the original created by French sculptor Jean Antoine Houdon. It stands 24 in H and carries a bronze finish over cast compound stone. The piece brings a documented likeness of the first American president into any home or office.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/section\u003e\n\u003csection\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow the Original George Washington Statue Was Commissioned\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn 1784, the Congress of Virginia passed a resolution calling for a statue of President Washington for the State Capitol. Governor Harrison authorized Thomas Jefferson, then serving as Minister to France, to select a sculptor worthy of the task. Benjamin Franklin was consulted, and the choice fell on Houdon, the leading portrait sculptor of his era.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eView more \u003cstrong\u003eAmerican Art\u003c\/strong\u003e in our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.museumize.com\/collections\/american-usa-presidents\" target=\"_self\" title=\"\"\u003ePresidential and USA History Collection\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/section\u003e\n\u003csection\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHoudon's Visit to Mount Vernon\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn July 1785, Houdon sailed for Philadelphia with Franklin and three assistants. Washington invited him to Mount Vernon soon after his arrival that September. Over two weeks, Houdon took a life mask along with plaster impressions and precise measurements of Washington's body. He carried this material back to Paris, where the finished statue was completed in 1792. It still stands at the Capitol in Richmond today.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/section\u003e\n\u003csection\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eItem Details\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGeorge Washington portrait bust measures 24 in H x 14 in W x 12 in D. Weighs 24 lbs.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMade from cast compound stone with a bronze finish. PN 315B\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMade in USA.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/section\u003e\n\u003csection\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDisplaying This Presidential Bust\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis Houdon bust replica suits a study, library, or office shelf. Many collectors pair it with other American history pieces, including presidential busts from the same Museum Masterworks line.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/section\u003e\n\u003csection\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFor More Reading\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.mountvernon.org\/library\/digitalhistory\/digital-encyclopedia\/article\/jean-antoine-houdon\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003eMount Vernon - Jean Antoine Houdon\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/virginiacapitol.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003eVirginia State Capitol - Official Site\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/section\u003e","brand":"Museum Masterworks","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":31312616980593,"sku":"315B","price":545.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0615\/0537\/products\/eefd1ad9a97b9a4e10f0acdea60484da.jpg?v=1777660402","url":"https:\/\/www.museumize.com\/products\/george-washington-bust","provider":"Museumize.com","version":"1.0","type":"link"}