Design of the National Washington Monument
1846
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1846
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This drawing shows a tall, narrow tower rising from a wide, columned base. The tower has a star at the top, and the base looks like a temple with steps and statues around it. People are scattered around the base, some walking, others standing or sitting. Trees and buildings appear in the background, and the whole scene looks like a plan for a monument. The tower’s design was meant to honor a famous figure, but the artist focused on grand shapes and clean lines. The star at the top might symbolize something important, but the drawing itself is more about the monument’s structure than details. This is a great example of lithography, a printing method that lets artists create detailed images on paper.
