Did you know there’s a Greek-God-style statue of George Washington in the Smithsonian, and that it created quite the controversy when it was first created?
When Congress commissioned Horatio Greenough in 1841 to create a statue to mark the centennial of George Washington’s birth, he drew inspiration from the gorgeous Greek statues that had been created in Europe to depict Gods and Goddesses, specifically, Zeus.
The statue took 8 years to complete and went through a long voyage to arrive at the Washington Navy Yard, traveling by oxen and boat, When it arrived, the reaction is not what anyone would have expected. While the Europeans might not have been offended and were, in fact, used to naked sculptures of their heroes, Americans had a different reaction upon seeing George Washington in less garb than normal.
George Washington was installed into the capitol in 1841 but upon the bad reaction, it was later removed to the interior of the Smithsonian Museum of American History in 1908.
Now, it’s displayed as a historical piece and is available for view by the public. When you look at it closely, you can tell the level of detail Greenough went through, and why it took him 8 years. George Washington sits in Greek Robes and sandals, inspired by a similar statue of Zeus. He is holding his sword out which represents how he voluntarily handed his power back to the people, which was a huge move back before democracy was established.
The chair itself is covered in symbolism. According to the National Museum of History’s website, there are Greek gods: Apollo represents American Enlightenment, Hercules is depicted saving himself and his brother from a snake, which represents courage of the American people. There is also a depiction of Christopher Columbus meeting a Native American, representing the story of “the new world meeting the old world.” There’s a Latin inscription written on the back of the chair that says, “Horatio Greenough created this image as a great example of liberty and one which will not endure without it.”
You can visit the Smithsonian National Museum of American History at 2 West to view it.