But, I am glad for not having gone home for Thanksgiving, as with all the turbulence currently at home, I would get absolutely no work done over the weekend and have a royally painful time adjusting to the old rhythm (plus, I would've wasted 1 whole day on transportation alone).
Anyhoo, we had a good break. Getting more acquainted with DC is a pleasure, and Aline and I performed some community and identity analysis ourselves at the National Museum of American History. I was particularly intrigued and amused by this Washington statue, a bold and audacious statement, basically presenting the father of USA as an almighty greek deity. So much for analyzing Stuart's National Portrait Gallery painting and searching for symbols of royalty, when Greenough's statue emanates god-likeness.
This is curious as well, because the painting was created in Washington's lifetime, still (painted in 1796, he died in 1799), while the statue was erected in 1841. Thus such was the artist's perception of Washington in that day. Here's some facts:
Greenough’s sculpture is enriched with symbols: Washington’s figure is modeled on the classic statuary of ancient Greece, seat of the world’s first democracy. Carvings on the sides depict the Greek god Apollo and an infant Hercules. Small flanking figures of an American Indian and Christopher Columbus represent the New and Old Worlds. The most important symbol, however, is the sword in Washington’s outstretched hand: this celebrates the fact that after he led the country to victory in the American Revolution, he selflessly relinquished his power to the people.
Symbolism, symbolism. Aline thought it was way too rash and obvious, I thought it rather silly and for the founder to be an almost toga'd rock star (Yeah, liberty, but also - 'Are you ready to rock?!'). Huh. Wonder what Washington himself would make of it?
Note
"Landmark Object: George Washington Statue, 1841." NMAH. Smithsonian National Museum of American History. 29 Nov. 2009
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3 comments:
I knew exactly which Washington statue you were referring to without even having to click on the link! I thought the same exact thing about the statue because it was as if he was a Greek god, and it was strange because normally we do not put a president as analogous to a prominent Grecian figure. You're also lucky you got to go to the National Museum of American History and look around! When I went with my boyfriend we went in for about 15 minutes because it was too crowded! Something about that museum draws immense crowds on the weekends, but I did not figure out why everyone was there seeing how I spent the entire time trying to find an exhibit that wasn't crowded! :)
I think the early American society compensated for the absence of royalty by "deifying", if you will, our beloved presidents. George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson and the like. Without an absolute ruler as they were accustomed, I think the American people gave our American "royalty" more glory than was fitting for a president.
It's always interesting wondering how the people of the past contrast with how we portray them today in our art, movies, and literature, or how their are thought of by modern people. The very fact that Washington relinquished his power shows that he did not think of himself as a deity, but he was seen as a god for such a revolutionary move. Don't you love irony?
I was thinking much the same thing doing research for my final Explorations paper on the film Anastasia. The Romanovs have been so idealized as the loving, beautiful, glamorous royal family, that we can no longer see their flaws. No matter what the historical record will say about a figure, if an individual is stuck in their views of them, then history is swept aside.
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