Clock 1815 - 1820

This gilded clock, adorned with a figure of George Washington, was crafted by Dubuc, a French artist active during a time of significant political upheaval. Born in 1777, Dubuc lived through the French Revolution and the rise of Napoleon, eras that profoundly shaped artistic expression. The clock features a triumphant Washington, holding a scroll, standing tall as an eagle perches above. This iconography reveals a fascination with American ideals of liberty and self-governance, ideals that resonated with revolutionary sentiments in France. Yet, this idealized representation also obscures the complexities of Washington's legacy, particularly his role as a slave owner. In the context of its time, this clock served not only as a functional object but also as a potent symbol of transatlantic political and cultural exchange. The opulence of the gilding speaks to the aspirations of the elite, while the imagery subtly hints at a more turbulent undercurrent of revolution and social change. The clock is a reminder of the stories we choose to tell and the ones we leave behind.