The official site of Colonial Williamsburg - Rediscovering an American Icon: Houdon's Washington

The official site of Colonial Williamsburg - Rediscovering an American Icon: Houdon's Washington

I was watching some intellectual on C-cpan2 about Washington and Madison. Washington was six feet two while Madison was just over five feet. Both were giants as founders. Anyway Washington could take him in a wrestling match, but it is said that Madison was better in Trivial Pursuit.

I think this site is self descriptive, but I was impressed at how the sculptor captured Washington's attitude about avoiding total power as a dictator which was at his fingertips.

So here this ole boy is standing at a column. Now he may have had a few P's and Q's and needed a couple of props, but the point is there are 13 rods in the column bundled together at top and bottom. (13 states) He has hung up his sword on the states belonging to the people as well as his Army Cloak. He carries a civilian cane. Behind him is a plow share. This ole boy was more respected than ever after declining such power.

Who says art isn't important.