George Washington 1852

This is Pierre Joseph Chardigny's sculpture of George Washington. The exact date is unknown, but Chardigny, who was born in 1794, would have been working at a time of significant social and political change both in Europe and the United States. This bust of Washington embodies the complexities of that time. The elegant attire and noble bearing reflect the values of the elite class. But let's consider this in relation to the broader context of early America. Washington, a figure of revolution and a slave owner, represents the contradictions inherent in the nation's founding principles. Chardigny's sculpture invites us to contemplate these entangled histories and consider how the legacies of power continue to shape our present. It's a reminder that even in the most formal of portraits, stories of identity, struggle, and social change are etched into the very fabric of the artwork.