When first looking at George Washington by Horatio Greenough first thought that came to mind was Roman Art! George Washington by Horatio Greenough is a unique piece looking much like many Roman sculptures you may have seen, but upon the statues shoulders dawns George Washington’s signature non-smiling, tightly clenched face. From the neck down you’d never think that this sculpture wasn’t created in the liking of our first president George Washington, but more that of a god like Jupiter. With his bare chest exposed and muscles chiseled, you’d think George Washington was a statue of a god if his face wasn’t so recognizable. With his face determined, brows lifted and his eyes always looking at you at whatever angle, this statue surely grabs your attention. I first noticed in George Washington by Horatio Greenough, that George Washington was not dressed like mid-17th century attire. Though he wears his signature pulled back, curly hair style, instead of sporting a suit, he is seen wearing a toga. Covering his resting lower half and draped over his right arm, he looks as if he is to hold discussion in a Roman Senate, not the Congress of the Confederation. His open and bare chest is a sign of strength, most of his body has strong definition and outlines of muscles. On his feet are sandal and not the closed toe boots, that are fashionable at the current time. Just from looking at his attire,you can see that Greenough art is mimicking that of Roman culture. In the time in which this the sculpture was commissioned in 1832, such bare-chested, drape wearing was not looked upon highly as modestly was favored in this religious time. You can see he sits on a marble throne decorated in more revealing pictures of individuals on chariots or young... ... middle of paper ... ... Washington by Horatio Greenough to be a beautiful piece of Roman inspired art. Though not appreciated when released due to its scandalous appeal, I believe that the main message was distorted and missed. George Washington was a god among men, his creation and founding of the United States of America is a testament to that. He stood for freedom and the rights of the American people, this sculpture symbolizes it in an art form that just wasn’t appreciated at the time. However, I believe the piece to be beautifully done and I see what the artist message was without the inscription. Greenough wish to give thanks to George Washington by displaying him as strong and godlike as his accomplishments were. That he resembled Jupiter in how he commanded his people. That the American people were not limited but free to their own potential due to the actions of one godlike man.
Washington was the embodiment of everything fine in the American character. He had no delusions of grandeur and was second only to Benjamin Franklin as a diplomat with the French. In caring fo...
After the Revolutionary War, Washington was sick of seeing bloodshed and wounded soldiers; he missed the philosophical retreat of his home in Mount Vernon. According to Wulf, “the commander-in-chief saw the future of America as a country peopled not by soldiers but by farmers - an agrarian society that would be industrious and happy” (Wulf, 16). As a soldier, Washington fulfilled his duty to his country but as this quote clearly conveys, Washington idealized an agrarian society for the future of America’s economy. Washington believed that an agricultural society was vital to a nation that sought to define a national identity and was much more than just a profitable endeavor at the time. According to Wulf, “ploughing, planting and vegetable gardening were more than profitable and enjoyable occupations: they were political acts, bringing freedom and independence” (Wulf, 10). As a new nation, the success of an agrarian society was much more than a source of income; it was a political statement towards Britain. After the Revolutionary War, Washington and the rest of America had a great deal of pride for their nation, as demonstrated by his garden in Mount Vernon. According to Wulf, “the plants were American and that was all that counted because this part of the garden celebrated America” (Wulf, 26). When constructing his garden, Washington would only plant native species because his garden celebrated America’s success in the Revolutionary War and symbolized a nation that was
In the essay on George Washington, Wood is keen to establish his connection with the movement that propagated Enlightenment. Evidently, the progressive principles were the backbone of his beliefs despite not being an actual scholar himself. In addition to this, he was a man whose disposition and individu.al character was that of an honorable person which made him an excellent candidate to become the president of the new nation. According to Wood, not only did George Washington justify and establish a new office but also he established a new nation propagating a belief of self-governance that was otherwise thought to be impossible (p. 48). His beliefs, according to Wood, established him as an unparalleled man who believed that all man had the capacity of greatness particularly in
The picture in Document B shows George Washington introducing the Congress men to the soldiers and their living condition. This picture shows that George Washington really cares about his soldiers and that he wou...
As a boy George Washington allegedly accidentally chopped down a cherry tree, which he confessed to his father’s delight. There is also the tale where his father planted some seeds in the garden which grew up to spell ‘GEORGE WASHINGTON’ so as to” demonstrate by analogy God’s design in the universe”(10). However these anecdotes are the pure invention of Parson Weems (10) as very little is known about Washington’s early childhood or his relationship with his father. These invented tales, no matter how ridiculous, are less offensive than the authors who brush over or omit Washington’s involvement in slavery. In the ‘moral autobiography’ of George Washington called Founding Father; Richard Brookhiser justifies Washington’s actions by stating “slavery was sanctioned by the Bible and by Aristotle”.
George Washington had character and was extraordinary. Ellis described Washington as an "incalculable asset." His leadership skills were unique. His actions were performed for his country, not for political gain. He was also directly associated with every major event of the Revolutionary War, the Continental Congress, and the building of the new republic. Even the country 's new capitol had his name. These were some of the things that made him so special. Washington was not prideful and not easily led. He offered suggestions and warnings to his replacements and told the government to expand in a way that would keep the country standing; he was well aware of how dainty the country was. The United States would never have survived without him.
The statue is made of marble, instead of the bronze statue. This statue is one of the earliest marble statues of a human figure carved in Attica. The statue is a kind of symbol; he does not in any way a likeness. This is my first expression when I saw the statue: the statue is showing me a simple, clear action that was used by Greek youth sculptures throughout this period. Looking at this statue, he expanded into 3D space, because he is standing straight and facing forward without any exaggerated movements, thus the post makes him look closed-off and a column his limbs are locked in space. Therefore, the standing posture, the decorations on his body, his hair and knee’s texture and how the Egyptians impact Greek art, is what makes me interested in it. A question that has always been in my mind is
The Washington Square Arch is a semi-circular arch and contains all of the characteristic parts of an arch: keystone, voussoir, impost, and an abutment. It also contains an entablature with a frieze and is highly decorated. The keystone on both the north and south sides sits at the apex on the arch and holds a pedestal with an eagle perched at the top. The voussoirs on both sides are also flanked by angels. The abutment surrounding the arch contains shields at the center and two crossed swords below it. The frieze above it and behind the eagle contains alternating wreaths with stars in the center, totalling in 13 stars, and “W’s” flanked by what I believe to be olive branches. The entablature continues upwards with a cornice showing dentils and then a quote at the center top. It says, “Let us raise a stand to which the wise and the honest can repair. The event is in the hand of God,” quoted from George Washington himself. On the north face of the arch, there are two statues of George Washington. The statue on the left shows him as the commander-in-chief and and the statue on the right shows a statue of George Washington as the president. In both statues, there representations of Fame, Valor, Justice, and Wisdom surrounding
Washington was born in Westmore County, Virginia, on February 22, 1732. He is the son of the late Augustine Washington and Mary Ball Washington. Augustine was a tobacco farmer and a stock raiser. Washington spent most of his early childhood on the Ferry Farm in Fredricksburg, Virginia. He attended school up until his fifteenth year. Washington married Martha Dandridge on January 6,1759.
The soldier’s time to serve would be up in just ten days, the British continued to win battles, all hope of winning the war was fading and everyone was ready to put down their weapons and surrender to Great Britain. However, George Washington was not settling with anything less than trying their best. He kept that little flicker of hope that was still left, alive. The Continental Congress did not see much hope in the war either and turned the responsibility of the war to General George Washington. Washington received a message from Congress saying,
The Statue of Liberty is one of the most well know symbols of the United States, across the world. For this reason I chose to analyze the dramatic effect it creates, and what methods it implores to invent this "universal" meaning. It is one of the strongest visual representations of the ideals which our country is founded upon. I intend to defend the argument that the Statue of Liberty posses the power of persuading human thought using the terms encompassed in Kenneth Burke's Pentad, shaping the definition of "America" for people through out the world.
I choose to do research on this bust because I already am familiar with Alexander’s life and his impact on global history. At first, when I saw the sculpture without reading the description, I had just assumed it was some Roman craftsman making a bust of Alexander’s likeness based upon previous artworks as his reference point. However, upon discovering that Alexander the Great was considered divine in antiquity, I understood only now began to realize just how deep Alexander 's cult and life would be the spark that will help create and define both the Roman and American Empire. Alexander 's bust had the familiar style of a young man with short fiery-hair and had no unique touch on behalf of the craftsman. I doubt there is any death mask or any real record of how Alexander
The United States of America was formed by many president's of our time. One of these very influential presidents was George Washington. Courageous, smart and firm. The "founding father" has influenced many people today. He was a commander in chief of the forces during the Revolutionary War, chairman of the convention that wrote the Constitution, and the very first president. He has made very important decisions that still influence our country today.
... For the same reasons behind the plainness of the color palate, Velazquez would not have seen the need to render Juan de Pareja with intense precision, for the personal piece was not meant to be put under heavy scrutiny. This was not the case for Peale while George Washington, whose politically charged nature ensured that it would be examined closely.
It set the standard for political art and, due to the effectiveness of Augustus’ rule, exemplified the importance of a ruler’s public image. As a result, in the second century, Trajan had a similar statue made of himself for the same purpose: to glorify himself as a leader and gain the respect of his people. Parallels can be drawn in the youthful yet authoritative appearance of Trajan and Augustus, as well as in the almost identical stance: feet firmly planted and one arm raised as if in the midst of a powerful speech. Trajan is also dressed in a military uniform, and wears a cuirass interspersed with meaning. On the top of the cuirass is a sun, representing a time of plenty under Trajan’s leadership, similar to the breastplate of Augustus. Underneath, two winged women, most likely representing plenty or the blessing of the divine, meet in the middle of the Trajan’s