Houdon Bust of George Washington, 24"Images of George Washington abound but the most faithful likeness remains a terra cotta bust created by Jean Antoine Houdon. The French sculptor visited Mount Vernon in October 1785 to carefully observe Washington's movements and expressions, even making a plaster "life mask" of Washington's face to accurately preserve every detail. Washington was then 53 years old. When completed, Houdon gave the bust to Washington and it has remained at Mount Vernon