The Virginian-Pilot
                            THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT  
              Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Sunday, January 28, 1996               TAG: 9601260641
SECTION: COMMENTARY               PAGE: J6   EDITION: FINAL 
SOURCE: GEORGE TUCKER
                                             LENGTH: Medium:   82 lines

VIRGINIANS TOOK CARE TO HAVE WASHINGTON'S STATUE CRAFTED

I was not aware until recently of the fascinating history behind Houdon's superb life-size marble statue of George Washington that occupies the focal place in the rotunda of the State Capitol in Richmond. When I acquired a fine, quarter-size bronze bust based on the original statue, I decide to do a little research on the subject. Here are the highlights.

Jean Antoinie Houdon (1741-1828), was the first great European sculptor to visit the United States. A native of Versailles, France, he was considered the finest portrait sculptor of his age when he was commissioned to create Washington's likeness in gleaming marble.

In June 1784, four years after the combined French and American victory at Yorktown, the Virginia Assembly asked the governor to take measures for providing a statue of Washington ``in the finest marble of the best workmanship.'' Fortunately for posterity, Thomas Jefferson, the only Virginian of his time with a comprehensive knowledge of art, was in Paris as minister of France.

With Benjamin Franklin, whom he replaced, Jefferson called on Houdon, who agreed to execute the statue for one thousand English guineas. Houdon also stipulated that his expenses be paid to and from the United States so he could take the proper measurements, and that sufficient life insurance be taken out on him to reimburse his family should anything happen to him on the journey.

With the arrangements worked out satisfactorily, Houdon and Franklin sailed from France, arriving in Philadelphia in September 1785. Fearing that Washington might hesitate to receive an artist on familiar terms, Jefferson wrote Washington assuring him that Houdon was a gentleman who moved in the best circles of Paris and Versailles. On the strength of these assurances, Washington graciously agreed to assist Houdon in order that the statue might be a success.

On Oct. 2, 1785, at 11 a.m., Washington and his family were awakened by the furious barking of the Mount Vernon watchdogs. The hullabaloo had been kicked up by Houdon and his assistants, who had arrived by boat from Alexandria. The next day Houdon began by making a plaster cast of Washington's face. He then modeled two plaster busts and took one back to France, along with the face cast.. The other bust is still one of the treasures of Mount Vernon.

Leaving Mount Vernon on Oct. 17, 1785, Houdon returned to Philadelphia, then sailed to France. Before departing, he assured the Virginia Assembly that the statue would be completed in three years. At first it was proposed that it would represent Washington as Cincinnatus, the Roman general and statesman, attired in a classic toga. But this did not please Washington.

``Not having sufficient knowledge in the art of sculpture to oppose my judgment to the taste of connoisseurs,'' he wrote, he suggested that ``some little deviation'' be made ``in favor of modern costume.'' This advice was fortunately taken and the statue wound up representing the Squire of Mount Vernon as a well- dressed and elegant late 18th century military gentleman.

Since the Virginia State Capitol was not ready to receive it when it was completed, the statue remained in Houdon's Paris studio throughout the bloody days of the French Revolution. Finally, in 1796, it was shipped from Le Harve, France, to Philadelphia, where it was consigned to William Pennock, a wealthy Norfolk merchant who had a branch counting house there. Pennock's employees supervised the shipment of the statue and its pedestal in three crates to Richmond where it was finally set up in its present location on May 14, 1796.

The statue was not formally dedicated until 131 years after it was placed in the rotunda. In 1931, Dr. H.R. McIlwaine, the Virginia state librarian, called this to the attention of Gov. John Garland Pollard.

Pollard immediately instigated a dedication ceremony with Dr. Albert Bushnell Hart, professor emeritus of history at Harvard University as the guest speaker. Dressed in a Revolutionary War costume, Hart began his speech by asking, ``Who is this General Washington?''

Today Hart's oration has long since been forgotten. But that is not the case with the original inscription, written by James Madison, that is carved on the statue's pedestal. It reads: ``The General Assembly of the Congress of Virginia have caused this statue to be erected as a monument of affection and gratitude to George Washington who uniting to the endowments of the hero the virtues of the patriot and exercising both in establishing the liberties of his country has rendered his name dear to his fellow citizens and given the world an immortal example of true glory.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo

Houdon's statue of Washington stands in the rotunda of the Capitol

in Richmond.

by CNB