Artwork
Plaque of George Washington
Plaque of George Washington is an unspecified painting. It dates from 1785 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This small enamel plaque depicts George Washington in profile, rendered with a white face against a deep blue ground.
About this work
Technique & Style
The surface bears a profile likeness of the first president, rendered with crisp outlines and a restrained palette that highlights facial contours.
The plaque of George Washington is an enamel work executed in a low-relief technique that combines a metal support with a vitreous enamel coating. The surface bears a profile likeness of the first president, rendered with crisp outlines and a restrained palette that highlights facial contours. Measuring 4.4 × 3.5 cm, the object has a compact, portable format typical of commemorative medallions.
The piece belongs to the portrait genre and is catalogued within The American Wing collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. No handling or conservation details are provided in the sources, and the current condition is not described.
History & Provenance
The enamel plaque depicting George Washington in profile was created in 1785 and is attributed to an unknown artist. It is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, within The American Wing, and measures 4.4 × 3.5 cm. As the creator remains unidentified, the specific circumstances regarding the patron or the original acquisition context are not recorded, and no commission details or documented ownership chain are provided in the available sources.
Context
The enamel plaque of George Washington, dated 1785 and attributed to an anonymous hand, is an example of early American portraiture in the decorative arts. Its profile likeness aligns with contemporary representations of Washington and reflects the influence of European enamel techniques on American craftsmanship. As an object of the Revolutionary era held in The American Wing of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, it contributes to the visual record of how the first president was commemorated in late-eighteenth-century portrait medallions.
Overview
This small enamel plaque depicts George Washington in profile, rendered with a white face against a deep blue ground. Crafted from enamel, a medium more commonly associated with decorative arts or jewelry, it stands out among contemporary portraits of the first president. Its design suggests it was intended for personal adornment rather than display on a wall.
Subject & Meaning
George Washington, the subject of this plaque, is presented in a dignified profile, a common pose for commemorative imagery. Unlike larger, formal oil portraits, this miniature work was designed for personal wear, functioning similarly to an elaborate button or a piece of jewelry. Its intimate scale and portable nature allowed individuals to display their admiration for the national figure in a personal and fashionable manner.
Artist & collection
