Gallery
Community
PRO plan
Blog
Feedback
Fdbk
Sign in
The Indispensable Plan
Albert H. Small Center for National Capital Area Studies
Follow
Albert H. Small Center for National Capital Area Studies
Follow
The Indispensable Plan
By Peter Waddell
oil on canvas
66 H x 78 W in
Certificate
of Authenticity
Not for sale
Contact owner
About this artwork
In 2017, Peter Waddell painted The Indispensable Plan as the first of a two-part series comparing Pierre “Peter” L’Enfant’s original vision for the city of Washington to the actual cityscape in 1825. This painting frames the scene with curtains and cherubs, gesturing at L’Enfant’s dream of a capital city, which was never fully realized. Object description by Allie Richmond (GWU, M.A. ‘26, Art History), painting © Original oil painting by Peter Waddell MMXVII Albert H. Small Washingtoniana Collection, AS 2019.78.
Object ID
Provenance
Title
The Indispensable Plan
Maker
Peter Waddell
Issue
Albert H. Small Center for National Capital Area Studies
Date of period
2017
Type of object
painting
Materials and techniques
oil on canvas
Measurements
66 H x 78 W in
08/04/2025
Title
The Indispensable Plan
Maker
Peter Waddell
Date or period
2017
Measurements
66 H x 78 W in
Materials & Techniques
oil on canvas
About profile owner
Albert H. Small Center for National Capital Area Studies
Follow
museum
Discover D.C. history through rare maps, prints and archives, plus research opportunities and free public programs.
Show more
Albert H. Small Center for National Capital Area Studies
Follow
The Indispensable Plan
By Peter Waddell
oil on canvas
66 H x 78 W in
Certificate
of Authenticity
Not for sale
Contact owner