Hiram Powers

American, 1805 - 1873

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The sculpture is a bust of a woman with classical features, capturing her upper body from the chest up. The subject is adorned with a draped garment that covers her left shoulder while leaving the right shoulder mostly bare. Her hair is styled elegantly, pulled back into a low bun, and she wears what appears to be a headband or tiara. The material of the sculpture is a smooth, polished white marble. The bust is mounted on a simple, square base that elevates it slightly. The craftsmanship of the marble allows the intricate details of her hair and drapery to stand out.
Hiram Powers, Diana, model 1852, carved 1853, marble, Corcoran Collection (Gift of Stella McCalla Sands, 1956), 2015.19.3748

Diana

Hiram Powers · model 1852, carved 1853 · marble ·  Accession ID  2015.19.3748
The sculpture is a bust of a female figure, depicted in a classical style. The figure has a headband with star motifs, and her hair is styled in waves. She is draped in a garment arranged over her shoulders. The sculpture is made of white marble, with a smooth and polished appearance. The bust rests on a square pedestal. The figure's face has a serene expression.
Hiram Powers, America, model 1850-1854, carved after 1854, marble, Corcoran Collection (Gift of Mr. Henry de C. May, 1948), 2015.19.3718

America

Hiram Powers · model 1850-1854, carved after 1854 · marble ·  Accession ID  2015.19.3718
The sculpture depicts the bust of a woman with her head turned towards the right and her chest towards us. Her hair is styled in a bun at the back of her head, and she is nude. The sculpture has a smooth, polished surface and is a creamy white color with some subtle variations of white and gray tones across the sculpture. The bust is mounted on a circular base.
Hiram Powers, Bust of "The Greek Slave", 1848, marble, Corcoran Collection (Museum Purchase, by exchange: Mrs. Amelia B. Lazarus, Mr. James Parmelee, Mr. Stevenson Scott, Mr. Louis E. Shecter, Mrs. Mabel Stevens Smithers, and Southern Educational & Charitable Trust, 1994), 2014.136.294

Bust of "The Greek Slave"

Hiram Powers · 1848 · marble ·  Accession ID  2014.136.294
The sculpture "Proserpine" is a marble bust depicting a female figure. The material is smooth, white marble. The figure's hair is styled with intricate detail, tied back. The bust has a garland-like decoration at the base, adding texture and contrast to the surface. The sculpture is on a circular pedestal.
Hiram Powers, Proserpine, model 1844, carved 1846 or later, marble, Corcoran Collection (Gift of William Wilson Corcoran, 1873), 2015.19.3807

Proserpine

Hiram Powers · model 1844, carved 1846 or later · marble ·  Accession ID  2015.19.3807
Carved from creamy white marble, a nude woman stands next to a hip-high support, perhaps a low post. In this photograph, her body faces us, and she looks down to our right in profile. Her wavy hair is tucked behind her ear and drawn back in a bun at the nape of her neck. Her weight rests on her left leg, on our right, and her other knee is bent. Her left arm is angled in front of her body so her hand covers her groin. Her other hand, on our left, rests on the post. Chains hang from shackles encircling her wrists. The post is covered with a cloth that gathers around the top and spirals to the ground beneath her feet, the edge trimmed with tassels. A cross and medallion peek out from under the cloth near her hand. She stands on a circular base.
Hiram Powers, The Greek Slave, model 1841-1843, carved 1846, Seravezza marble, Corcoran Collection (Gift of William Wilson Corcoran, 1873), 2014.79.37

The Greek Slave

Hiram Powers · model 1841-1843, carved 1846 · Seravezza marble ·  Accession ID  2014.79.37
The sculpture is a bust of a woman with detailed features, including a composed expression, smooth skin, and intricately styled hair. The subject is clothed in a draped garment that flows over her shoulders. The sculpture is made of white marble, giving it a clean appearance with a soft gloss. It appears life-sized, showcasing meticulous craftsmanship in the facial features and clothing folds. The bust is mounted on a square pedestal.
Hiram Powers, Alice Key Pendleton, model 1870, carved 1870, marble, Corcoran Collection (Gift of Jane Frances Brice, 1936), 2015.19.3659

Alice Key Pendleton

Hiram Powers · model 1870, carved 1870 · marble ·  Accession ID  2015.19.3659
This is a drawing of a human hand resting on a flat surface with a pencil nearby. The hand is detailed with contours and skin texture, and the fingers are slightly curled. The pencil is placed parallel to the wrist. The drawing uses precise lines and gradients for a 3D effect, and the paper texture complements the lines.
Hiram Powers, Study of a Hand, 1856, charcoal heightened with white chalk on green wove paper, John Davis Hatch Collection, 1979.20.99

Study of a Hand

Hiram Powers · 1856 · charcoal heightened with white chalk on green wove paper ·  Accession ID  1979.20.99
The sculpture is a bust depicting a female figure with classical features and a serene gaze. Her hair is intricately carved in waves and tied back. It is made of white marble with a polished finish. The bust ends at the shoulders with draped clothing featuring gentle folds and texture. The simple marble stand supports the sculpture.
Hiram Powers, A Country Woman, model 1838, carved 1839, marble, Corcoran Collection (Gift of William Wilson Corcoran, 1873), 2015.19.3806

A Country Woman

Hiram Powers · model 1838, carved 1839 · marble ·  Accession ID  2015.19.3806
The sculpture is a bust depicting the upper body and head of a man. It is carved from a light-colored material, likely marble, which gives it a smooth and polished appearance. The bust features a detailed representation of the man's facial features and hair. The man appears to have a serious expression, with a subtle gaze directed slightly downward. The bust is mounted on a round pedestal.
Hiram Powers, William J. Stone, model 1837, carved 1842, marble, Corcoran Collection (Gift from Mrs. William J. Stone, 1883), 2015.19.3892

William J. Stone

Hiram Powers · model 1837, carved 1842 · marble ·  Accession ID  2015.19.3892
The sculpture is of a young woman with her head turned slightly to the side and downward. Her hair is styled back into a bun, and her facial features are delicately rendered with smooth lines and contours. The sculpture is made from white marble, giving it a polished appearance. It shows the bust from just below the shoulders, including the upper torso, with a suggested drape texture. The figure appears calm and serene, with lifelike details carved into the marble, such as the curve of her shoulders and the depiction of her facial features and hair.
Hiram Powers, Unfinished bust of "The Greek Slave", n.d., marble, Corcoran Collection (Museum Purchase, 1921), 2014.136.240

Unfinished bust of "The Greek Slave"

Hiram Powers · n.d. · marble ·  Accession ID  2014.136.240

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