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George Washington

George Washington
Artist
Unidentified Artist
Sitter
George Washington, 22 Feb 1732 - 14 Dec 1799
Date
1793
Type
Medal
Medium
Silver, with engraved decoration
Dimensions
15.6 x 10.8 x 0.3cm (6 1/8 x 4 1/4 x 1/8")
Topic
Medal\Peace medal
George Washington: Male
George Washington: Military and Intelligence\Army\Officer\Revolutionary War
George Washington: Politics and Government\Statesman\Colonial statesman
George Washington: Natural Resource Occupations\Agriculturist\Farmer
George Washington: Military and Intelligence\Army\Officer\General
George Washington: Politics and Government\President of US
George Washington: Science and Technology\Surveyor
George Washington: Congressional Gold Medal
Portrait
Credit Line
National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; gift of Betty A. and Lloyd G. Schermer
Restrictions & Rights
CC0
Object number
NPG.99.107
Exhibition Label
Indian peace medals are an important part of the history of U.S. presidential portraiture and also an essential element in federal Indian policy. Presented to Native chiefs on such important occasions as the signing of a treaty or a visit to the nation’s capital, the medals gave rank and distinction. Many were passed down from generation to generation.
In the first half of the nineteenth century, the design was determined by the need to win the allegiance of the Indians. Medals contained the likeness of the president on one side and symbols of peace and friendship on the other. Acceptance of a medal signified friendship and loyalty to the United States. By midcentury, the medals encouraged assimilation of Native Americans into American society.
All medals gift of Betty A. and Lloyd G. Schermer
Las medallas de la paz son parte importante de la historia de los retratos presidenciales en Estados Unidos y tuvieron un papel esencial en la política federal hacia los pueblos indígenas. Se obsequiaban a los líderes nativos en ocasiones significativas, como la firma de tratados o visitas a la capital del país, y eran símbolo de rango y distinción. Muchas pasaron de generación en generación.
Durante la primera mitad del siglo XIX, el diseño de las medallas respondía a la necesidad de fomentar la lealtad de los indígenas. Llevaban la imagen del presidente en una cara, y en la otra símbolos de paz y amistad. La aceptación de una medalla significaba amistad y lealtad hacia Estados Unidos. Ya para mediados del siglo, las medallas fomentaban la asimilación de los americanos nativos a la sociedad estadounidense.
Todas las medallas son donación de Betty A. y Lloyd G. Schermer
Data Source
National Portrait Gallery
Exhibition
America's Presidents (Reinstallation September 2017)
On View
NPG, South Gallery 240