Plaster life mask of George Washington by Jean-Antoine Houdon, 1785. Morgan Library & Museum collection [2992×2992] [OC]

https://www.themorgan.org/objects/item/214063

[display description](https://ibb.co/6RP9vw5f)

[CAST OF WASHINGTON’S FACE

In 1785 the French sculptor Houdon visited George Washington (1732-1799) at his Mount Vernon residence. To make a mold of the future first president’s visage, Houdon had Washington lie down and then applied a protective layer of grease followed by a layer of plaster. Once hardened, the mold was removed, and plaster was poured into it to make this positive cast. Houdon brought this “life mask” with him to France and apparently used it while working on the marble statue of Washington for the Virginia State Capitol.

Jean-Antoine Houdon (1741-1828)

Life mask of George Washington, 1785

Plaster

Purchased by J. Pierpont Morgan before 1913; AZ151]

Oh wonderful! I need more of these!