Thomas Jefferson American President Bust by Houdon White, Assorted Sizes

At the time this sculpture was made in Paris, Thomas Jefferson was 43 years of age and was serving as ambassador to France. Ten years earlier, Jefferson had gained notoriety by penning the first draft of the Declaration of Independence. In 1784, he was appointed to negotiate commercial treaties in Europe with fellow Americans Benjamin Franklin and John Adams. It was during this period that he met Jean-Antoine Houdon, considered the foremost portrait sculptor of his time. Houdon's portrait of Jefferson, exhibited at the Salon in 1789, stresses Jefferson's virile elegance, mental alertness, and penetrating intelligence. Small Measures: 12 in H x 7 in W x 4 in D including base. Weighs 2.8 lbs. PN 343W_12 Small Other measurements: base is 4 in W x 4 in D x 1 1/16 in H; head is 3 3/4 in H Large: 28 in H. Weighs 24.3 lbs. PN 344W_30 Material: hand-finished crushed stone resin Color: Off White