Statue of Washington c. 19th century

Editor: This is Jacopo Bernardi's "Statue of Washington." It's hard to say exactly when it was made, but Bernardi lived from 1808 to 1908. It's interesting to see Washington depicted almost like a Roman emperor. What strikes you about the material choices and the way Bernardi has presented him? Curator: Let's consider the labor involved in creating this idealized image. A classical representation of Washington elevates him, yes, but also masks the complex social and economic realities of his time. How does this rendering interact with our understanding of labor, power, and the very construction of national identity? Editor: That's a very interesting point. I guess I hadn't considered how the image itself is a product of its own historical and economic forces. Thanks!