The Life Mask of George Washington

As Thomas Jefferson described, Jean-Antoine Houdon possessed the “reputation of being the finest statuary in the world.” Well versed in capturing famous faces from the King Louis XV of France to Voltaire, Houdon was “enthusiastically fond of being the executor of this work,”[1] and needed to see the illustrious subject in person in the hopes of “forming the bust from life.”[2]

The chance of Washington crossing the Atlantic to see Monsieur Houdon for the express purpose of having a bust made was preposterous. Knowing their esteemed friend’s full calendar and impatience with matters that could be described as of little import, Jefferson and Franklin judiciously employed a little polite puffery to get the job done. Appealing to Washington’s penchant for fastidious record-keeping, they stressed that it was imperative to document his likeness for posterity.

After arriving at Mount Vernon on October 2, 1785, Houdon stayed for two weeks. Undeniably swept up into the rhythm of daily life on the estate, such immersion not only allowed the sculptor to study Washington’s facial features, but also to become acquainted with the nuanced shift in the General’s expression and mood, as well as the details of Washington’s choice of attire.

Making the Life Mask

Desiring the most accurate likeness possible, Houdon wished to create a “life mask” of the General. Washington’s diary entry from October 10, 1785, indicates that he was fascinated by the process, and thoroughly documented the materials and method by which the plaster was prepared that day.

In the servant’s hall adjacent to the Mansion, the General had laid down on a wooden table. His hair was pulled back, covered by a towel, while a large sheet protected his clothes. Oil was generously applied to his face, so that the hardened plaster of the mask would not adhere to his skin. Two large quills were placed inside each of the General’s nostrils to ensure he could breathe.[3] Young Eleanor (Nelly) Parke Custis, Washington’s step-granddaughter, looking for her grandpapa, happened upon his white-clad, still form, laid out on the table like a corpse. Immediately distressed, Nelly was rapidly comforted by those present that her grandfather was still indeed alive and well.[4]

Houdon's Terracotta Bust of Washington

After Houdon prepared the cast of Washington’s face, the mold was left to dry. The interior of the mask was then coated with oil, and wet plaster poured back into it. The original, negative mold, would be chipped away, leaving Washington’s exact, three-dimensional likeness.

From this study, Houdon would create the famed Washington terracotta bust and the nearly twenty other Washington busts attributed to him.[5] Hailed as the most authentic likeness of the General, the bust in the collection of the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association is the original.