Search

A concrete cantilevered building against blue sky and green landscaping

A large green wall with oil paintings in gold frames above a tiled floor

A museum interior space with paintings and concrete walls and stairs

A concrete-walled lobby with windows, a tiled floor, and a circular desk

The top of a concrete spiral staircase with a wooden railing

A tall tree is the focal point of a garden in between two concrete buildings

About arrow_back

Admission for everyone is always free! Check here for current hours and more.

A concrete cantilevered building against blue sky and green landscaping

Collections arrow_back

The Johnson Museum holds more than 40,000 works in its collection from around the world.

A large green wall with oil paintings in gold frames above a tiled floor

Exhibitions arrow_back

Check out what’s on view this season at the Museum and look back through our history.

A museum interior space with paintings and concrete walls and stairs

Events arrow_back

Free events for everyone, plus special programs for students, families, and more!

A concrete-walled lobby with windows, a tiled floor, and a circular desk

Learn arrow_back

The Johnson Museum actively contributes to the intellectual life of our campus and community.

The top of a concrete spiral staircase with a wooden railing

Support arrow_back

Help the Johnson Museum continue its legacy by making a gift today.

A tall tree is the focal point of a garden in between two concrete buildings

Rev. Howard Finster

(American, 1916–2001)

Vision of George Washington

View All Works

Object Details

Artist

Rev. Howard Finster

Date

1983

Medium

Oil on wood panel

Dimensions

48 × 48 inches (121.9 × 121.9 cm)

Credit Line

Gift of Isabel and William Berley, Classes of 1947 and 1945

Object
Number

99.078.005

Howard Finster, who proclaimed himself a “Man of Visions,” frequently recounted the story of how(…)

Howard Finster, who proclaimed himself a “Man of Visions,” frequently recounted the story of how, sometime around 1976, a spot of white paint on his finger transformed into a humanlike face before his eyes. The face—of God, or of Finster’s own “hidden man of the heart”—commanded him aloud to “paint sacred art.” Finster sometimes said that a portrait of George Washington—based on the design of the United States dollar bill—constituted the first product of his divinely inspired mission. The portrait seen here is not that seminal one, but is sacred work number “2000 and 830,” as indicated by the artist’s inscription at the lower right of the panel. (“The Best Way to Prepare Bananas: Fruits of the Soul from the Permanent Collection,” curated by Matt Conway and presented at the Johnson Museum June 24-August 13, 2017)

Discover More

Bridge at Cagnes

Arthur Garfield Dove

Centerport Series, No. 4

Arthur Garfield Dove

Mogador

Edwin Lord Weeks

Cat in Town

Thornton Dial, Sr.

Create an account

Please take a moment to fill your information to create your account.

Reset Password

Lost your password? Please enter your email address. You will receive mail with link to set new password.

Save Artwork

Save the artwork in any of your exhibitions or create a new one.

You have not made any exhibitions.

Create New Exhibition

Create New Exhibition