George Washington

Object Details

Artist

Unidentified Artist

Sitter

George Washington, 22 Feb 1732 - 14 Dec 1799

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

Credit Line

National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; gift of Betty A. and Lloyd G. Schermer

1793

Object number

NPG.99.107

Restrictions & Rights

CC0

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")

See more items in

National Portrait Gallery Collection

Exhibition

America's Presidents (Reinstallation September 2017)

On View

NPG, South Gallery 240

National Portrait Gallery

Topic

Medal\Peace

George Washington: Male

George Washington: Military\Army\Officer\Revolution

George Washington: Politics and Government\Statesman\Colonial Statesman

George Washington: Natural Resources\Agriculturist\Farmer

George Washington: Military\Army\Officer\General

George Washington: Politics and Government\President of US

George Washington: Science and Technology\Engineer\Surveyor

George Washington: Congressional Gold Medal

Portrait

Record ID

npg_NPG.99.107

Metadata Usage (text)

CC0

GUID (Link to Original Record)

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/sm497e9bb00-8f55-4131-a737-a9c6ac6dd0d2