On View
On viewObject number2012.52
George Washington
Artist
Hiram Powers
(American, 1805 - 1873)
Date1838-1844, carving after 1844
Mediummarble
DimensionsOverall: 31 × 23 × 13 in. (78.7 × 58.4 × 33 cm)
Credit LineAcquired through the generosity of an anonymous donor
Exhibition History"Copley to Kentridge: What's New in the Collection?," KIA (Sept.14 - Dec. 1, 2013).
"Lasting Legacy: A Collection for Kalamazoo," Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, Kalamazoo, Michigan (Sep. 6, 2014 - Jan. 4, 2015).
"Unveiling American Genius," KIA Permanent Collection Exhibition, Traditional, Markin, Nay and Groos Galleries (March 1, 2021 - December 31, 2023).Label TextWith limited formal training, Hiram Powers became one of the most celebrated American sculptors of the nineteenth century. Modeled in plaster in the late 1830s and later carved in marble, Powers’ George Washington presents the first general and president of the United States stoically.
The bust captures Washington’s likeness accurately, while also idealizing his features to reflect the virtues of leadership and the moral character that defined Washington’s presidency. Powers produced at least 36 versions of this bust in marble, underscoring his skill in communicating the cultural and political ideals of his time, while using art to transform historical figures into enduring national symbols. Hiram’s George Washington bust is one of his most iconic works, displaying his mastery of portraiture and understanding of how his sculptures could shape public ideas about leadership, citizenship, and the United States’ founding values.
[Label Text: For the People: America at 250 Exhibition, June 27 - October 4, 2026]
