George Washington, (sculpture).

George Washington, (sculpture).

Taft, Lorado Zadoc, 1860-1936, sculptor.

George Washington, (sculpture).

President George Washington Monument, (sculpture).

Commissioned 1905. Dedicated June 14, 1909.

Digital Reference:

Sculpture: bronze; Base: concrete.

Sculpture: approx. 14 x 5 x 3 1/2 ft.; Base: approx. 28 x 18 x 18 ft.

(On plaque on base:) PRESENTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON/ON JUNE 14, 1909 BY THE RAINIER CHAPTER/OF THE DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION/AND THEIR SONS AND DAUGHTERS, AND THE/STATE OF WASHINGTON, AND THE STATE/COMMISSION OF THE ALASKA & YUKON PACIFIC EXPOSITION

Full-length portrait of George Washington, in uniform with military overcoat draped over his shoulders. He holds the hilt of a sword, the blade tip rests on the ground in front of his feet. The bronze sculpture stands atop a tall concrete base.

Portrait male -- Washington, George -- Full length

Occupation -- Political -- President

Occupation -- Military -- General

Outdoor Sculpture -- Washington -- Seattle

Administered by University of Washington, Public Art Administration, Seattle, Washington 98195

Located University of Washington, Plaza between Henry Gallery & Meany Auditorium, Seattle, Washington

The sculpture was commissioned in 1905 by the Rainier Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Cost of the sculpture was $8,000. Funding was provided by the D.A.R., Washington state school children and the state government. The sculpture was dedicated in 1909 and donated to the University at that time. Because of lack of funds for the $12,000 base designed by the artist, the sculpture was originally set on a wooden platform for the 1909 Alaska-Pacific-Yukon Exposition, which was held on the University grounds. Monumental News April 1908 issue lists the total cost as $30,000. In 1935, the sculpture was moved to a new location on campus. In 1939, the sculpture was installed on a new limestone faced base as originally designed by the artist and constructed by the W.P.A. (Works Progress Administration).

In 1969, the sculpture was removed from its site due to construction. In 1970 it was reinstalled on a new pedestal, again of the original design, but constructed of concrete. A plaque (which read "In memory of Elenor Washington Spicer") was donated by the D.A.R. and installed in 1984 but had been stolen by 1987. In 1993, the sculpture was cleaned and restored by Fabrication Specialties Limited (Seattle, Washington).

IAS files contain copy of University of Washington inventory record, copies of related University correspondence, and copies of conservation treatment reports. IAS files contain copies of related articles from the Daily (Seattle, WA) Jan. 5 and Feb. 16, 1993 and University Week, Feb.18, 1993; and excerpt from University of Washington Guide visitor's brochure.

Save Outdoor Sculpture, Washington survey, 1994.

Rupp, James, "Art in Seattle's Public Places", Seattle: University of Washington Press, 1992, pg. 176-177.

National Park Service, American Monuments and Outdoor Sculpture Database, WA2013, WA2014, 1989.

Monumental News, April 1908; May 1910.

Rupp, James, "Art in Seattle's Public Places", Seattle: University of Washington Press, 1992, pg. 177.

The information provided about this artwork was compiled as part of the Smithsonian American Art Museum's Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture database, designed to provide descriptive and location information on artworks by American artists in public and private collections worldwide.

Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture, Smithsonian American Art Museum, P.O. Box 37012, MRC 970, Washington, D.C. 20013-7012

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