Date: Fri 09-Jul-1999

Publication: Ant

Author: SARAH

Quick Words:

Washington-National-Heritage

Full Text:

The Museum of National Heritage Presents "George Washington, American Symbol"

(with 2 cuts)

LEXINGTON, MASS. -- George Washington is universally considered to be our most

accomplished president, the perfect merger of military hero, effective

administrator, and great leader. In observance of the 200th anniversary of his

death, the Museum of Our National Heritage is hosting the exhibition, "George

Washington, American Symbol." This unique exhibition presents the most

comprehensive exploration of the enduring nature of Washington's image -- an

image that has resisted fundamental revision during the past two centuries due

to the force of his character, the clarity of his political purpose, and the

intensity of his charisma.

"George Washington, American Symbol" will be on view at the museum, in its

only New England showing, October 8 through February 27, 2000. The exhibition

is produced by the Museums at Stony Brook in collaboration with the Museum of

Our National Heritage.

"George Washington, American Symbol" will present more than 150 paintings,

prints, sculptures, decorative objects, and memorabilia that were created over

a period of more than 200 years. Since 1772, when Charles Willson Peale

painted the first life portrait of Washington, America has been fascinated by

his image. Works by Peale, and by his Eighteenth Century contemporary Gilbert

Stuart, will be on view, including Stuart's well-known "Athenaeum" and

"Vaughn" portraits.

The exhibition also traces the evolution of Washington's image from the

Eighteenth Century to the present. Images of Washington ranging from that of

an ordinary American partaking in the joys and frustrations of everyday life

to the grand-style hero in paintings like the famous "Washington Crossing the

Delaware" will be on view in the exhibition.

America's Colonial Revival period enshrined Washington in an attempt to

fulfill a nostalgic desire to recreate scenes of romance, heroic deeds,

beauty, and graceful manners of the early years of the republic. Twentieth

Century versions of the Washington image include renderings by Norman Rockwell

and N.C. Wyeth. Some contemporary works, such as "Washington as Eagle" by

Komar & Melamid and "Gay George" by Larry Rivers, gleefully deconstruct the

icon.

Featured as well will be examples of sculpture based on the Eighteenth Century

life mask taken by the French sculptor Jean Antoine Houdon and later works by

American sculptors Thomas Crawford and John Quincy Adams Ward. Washington's

image on ceramics, glass, and furniture, and in popular books, will be

presented.

The Museum of Our National Heritage is dedicated to presenting exhibitions on

a wide variety of topics in American history and popular culture. The museum

is supported by the Scottish Rite Freemasons in the Northern Masonic

Jurisdiction of the United States.

The Museum of Our National heritage is located at 33 Marrett Road. Hours are

Monday through Saturday, 10 am to 5 pm, and Sunday, noon to 5 pm. For more

information, call 781/861-6559.