Portrait medallion (George Washington plaque)

Description

A relative of the museums founder, Henry Francis du Pont, donated this finely-cast, circular iron medallion bearing a three-quarter portrait view of George Washington in civilian clothing. The subject is recognizable by comparison to nineteenth-century engravings reproducing painter Gilbert Stuart’s portraits made near the end of Washington’s life, today termed the “Athenaeum-type.” Circular metal versions of Washington’s visage were produced as medals for Freemasonry use during the time of the United States’ Centennial and again for the 100th anniversary of his first inauguration in 1789. While neither creator nor the date for this iron medallion or plaque are identified, its tradition of ownership with Miss Evalina du Pont (d. 1938) suggests it could have been in the du Pont family during either of those national commemorations.