Final answer:
Jean-Antoine Houdon's sculpture of George Washington was made from marble, reflecting his Neoclassical style and preference for realistic portrayal.
Step-by-step explanation:
Jean-Antoine Houdon's renowned sculpture of George Washington was made from marble. Houdon was a prominent Neoclassical sculptor known for his portrait busts which realistically captured the personalities of his subjects without strict adherence to idealism. In creating the iconic sculpture, Houdon did not compromise on Washington's dignified appearance, ensuring that the Roman influence and a sense of verism were present in the final marble piece. This attention to detail and fidelity to likeness rather than idealized forms was typical of Houdon's style and contributed to his acclaim as an artist.
Marble was a favoured material in Neoclassical sculpture, much like it was in ancient Greek and Roman times. Artists like Houdon chose marble for its workable texture and the fine finish it could achieve, allowing for a level of detail and polish that contributed to the dignified and solemn feel of subjects like Washington.