Who painted Design of the National Washington Monument?

Design of the National Washington Monument was painted by Charles Fenderich in 1846.

Where can I see Design of the National Washington Monument?

Design of the National Washington Monument is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Design of the National Washington Monument?

Design of the National Washington Monument is associated with Romanticism.

Can I buy a print of Design of the National Washington Monument?

Museum-quality prints of Design of the National Washington Monument are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Design of the National Washington Monument

Charles Fenderich , 1846

Design of the National Washington Monument is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Charles Fenderich. It dates from 1846 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

Inscription: Inscribed:text at bottom on stone: Lithogd. from the original Design of Robt. Mills Archt. / by Chs. Fenderich Washington / Design / of the National / Washington Monument / Entered according to act of Congress in the year 1846 by Chs. Fenderich in the clerks office of Dist. Court of D.C. / Expressly engraved for the Wasington Monument Society / Lithogry. of E Weber & Co. Balto.

About this work

Overview

Charles Fenderich’s 1846 color lithograph, titled Design of the National Washington Monument, presents a conceptual elevation of a proposed commemorative structure. Rendered on wove paper, the print depicts a slender, vertical tower rising from a broad, columned podium, capped by a star-shaped finial. The composition functions as a visual proposal rather than a finished architectural rendering.

Subject & Meaning

The monument’s design is intended to honor a prominent national figure, employing monumental geometry and a simplified symbolic motif, a star at the apex, to convey reverence and aspiration. The surrounding figures, statues, and architectural elements suggest a ceremonial setting, while the overall emphasis remains on the building’s imposing form.

Technique & Style

Executed in color lithography, the work demonstrates the medium’s capacity for precise line work and subtle tonal variation. Fenderich utilizes clean, bold outlines and a restrained palette to delineate structural components, emphasizing the clarity of the design over ornamental detail. The lithographic process allowed for reproducibility of the architectural proposal.

History & Provenance

Created in 1846, the print emerged during a period of intense public interest in commemorating national heroes through monumental architecture. While the specific monument was never realized, the lithograph survived as a record of 19th‑century design ambitions and has been retained in institutional collections documenting American architectural history.

Context

The image reflects mid‑19th‑century American trends toward neoclassical civic architecture, combining temple‑like bases with soaring vertical elements. The inclusion of surrounding figures and landscape elements situates the proposal within a broader urban and ceremonial context, echoing contemporary plans for public memorials.

Legacy

Although the design was never built, the lithograph remains a valuable reference for scholars studying early monument proposals and the role of print media in disseminating architectural ideas. It illustrates how visual communication aided public discourse on national commemoration during the era.