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George Washington

Model
ca. 1851 - ca. 1853 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This is a plaster model made by Carlo Marochetti in England, about 1851-1853. This model represents George Washington, who was the first President of the United States. Calderini recorded that Marochetti produced a colossal equestrian monument to Washington for the 1855 New York Exhibition, which was destroyed by fire. A related small-scale bronze, a reduction of the New York equestrian figure of Washington by Marochetti, was said to be located in the Castello Marochetti at Vaux: it was later in the Château de Cheverny in the possession of the Comtesse de Vibraye, a distant relative of Marochetti. This model does not seem to be related to the equestrian monument.

Baron Carlo Marochetti (1805-1867) was born in Turin. He initially studied in Paris, where he was resident, intermittently returning to Italy between 1822 and 1827. Following the 1848 Revolution, Marochetti settled in England, where he produced a number of public monuments and became a favourite of Royalty, producing the effigies of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert for Frogmore, Windsor.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleGeorge Washington (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Plaster
Brief description
Model, bust, plaster, of George Washington, by Baron Carlo Marochetti R.A., made in England, ca. 1851-1853
Physical description
Plaster model of a colossal head of George Washington.
Dimensions
  • Height: 63.5cm
  • Width: 21in
Object history
Given by the Baroness Marochetti, the sculptor's widow, in 1868, together with V&A Mus. no. 1153-1868.
Subject depicted
Summary
This is a plaster model made by Carlo Marochetti in England, about 1851-1853. This model represents George Washington, who was the first President of the United States. Calderini recorded that Marochetti produced a colossal equestrian monument to Washington for the 1855 New York Exhibition, which was destroyed by fire. A related small-scale bronze, a reduction of the New York equestrian figure of Washington by Marochetti, was said to be located in the Castello Marochetti at Vaux: it was later in the Château de Cheverny in the possession of the Comtesse de Vibraye, a distant relative of Marochetti. This model does not seem to be related to the equestrian monument.

Baron Carlo Marochetti (1805-1867) was born in Turin. He initially studied in Paris, where he was resident, intermittently returning to Italy between 1822 and 1827. Following the 1848 Revolution, Marochetti settled in England, where he produced a number of public monuments and became a favourite of Royalty, producing the effigies of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert for Frogmore, Windsor.
Bibliographic references
  • Inventory of Art Objects acquired in the Year 1868. List of Objects in the Art Division, South Kensington, Acquired During the Year 1868, Arranged According to the Dates of Acquisition. London: Printed by George E. Eyre and William Spottiswoode for H.M.S.O., p. 99
  • Bilbey, Diane and Trusted Marjorie. British Sculpture 1470 to 2000. A Concise Catalogue of the Collection at the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, 2002, p. 334, cat. no. 504
Collection
Accession number
1152-1868

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Record createdAugust 26, 2008
Record URL
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