“Washington in Glory” Exhibit Opens at W&L Watson Pavilion
An exhibition of late-18th and early-9th century ceramics honoring George Washington’s presidency and death runs now through October at Washington and Lee University’s Watson Pavilion.
“Washington in Glory: Comemmorating the First President on English Creamware,” includes objects on loan from Winterthur Museum, Garden and Library’s collection of American decorative arts and the Watson Pavilion’s own pieces. The jugs and bowls produced 1785–1815 are decorated with images of Washington that glorify his military exploits, political leadership, and character.
Admission to the Watson Pavilion and exhibitis free and open to the public, Mondays-Saturdays from 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
As the commander-in-chief who won the American Revolution, served as president of the Constitutional Convention and became the first President of the United States, Washington was, in the words of his eulogizer, Col. Henry “Light Horse Harry” Lee, “first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countryman.” Americans showed their reverence for Washington by commissioning paintings, prints, and objects decorated with his image.
“Every American considers it his sacred duty to have a likeness of Washington in his home, just as we have images of God’s saints,” a visiting Russian diplomat wrote in 1811.
