In this artwork, how is the Description discussed?
The original statue is carved from Carrara marble, weighing 18 tons. It depicts a standing life-sized Washington. In his right hand is a cane, his left arm rests on a fasces on which is slung his cape and sword, and at the back is a plow. He is shown wearing his military uniform, as Washington wished to be depicted in contemporary attire, rather than that of antiquity popular in Neo-classical sculpture.With its selection of objects both civilian (the plow and cane) and military (the fasces, sword, and uniform), the statue has been interpreted as invoking the imagery and ideal of an Ancient Roman dictator, Cincinnatus, with whom Washington has been compared in his decision to retire from public life following the Revolutionary War. Washington was elected president of The Society of the Cincinnati in 1783. At the time of the statue's commission, Washington had not yet served in the Constitutional Convention and would not become President of the United States until 1789.
Chief Justice John Marshall, a contemporary of Washington's said of the work, "Nothing in bronze or stone could be a more perfect image than this statue of the living Washington."
Constitutional Convention fasces Society of the Cincinnati Roman dictator Cincinnatus Chief Justice John Marshall The Society of the Cincinnati Carrara marble Revolutionary War John Marshall Neo-classical sculpture President of the United States