George Washington 1850 - 1899

This is George Bissinger's cameo of George Washington, an exquisitely small piece of wearable art. Its striking contrast is immediately apparent: a luminous white profile against a stark black ground. The oval format, a traditional choice for portraiture, focuses our attention on the sharp, neoclassical lines of Washington's profile. Bissinger's choice of cameo elevates the subject, infusing it with historical weight through a classical form. The carving's precision captures the essence of Washington's public image—dignified, resolute, almost godlike. The play of light on the raised surface gives a tangible presence to the representation. It's fascinating how this tiny object uses stark contrasts and defined forms to communicate ideas of power, legacy, and the very construction of national identity. The artwork invites us to consider how a single object, through form and representation, can embody complex cultural values.