(American, 1805-1873)

Proserpine, 3rd version with the classical bead and stylized repeating leaf border, circa 1849, signed underside "H. Powers/Sculp", white marble 22-1/2 x 18-1/2 x 9 in., on a rose marble socle, 6 x 9-1/4 in. dia. 28-1/2 with socle

Provenance: Possibly the bust sold by David David Gallery, Philadelphia, and said to have come from the Lippincott family of Philadelphia; Christie's, New York, May 22, 2003, lot Christie's New York, December 1, 2005, lot 79; The Delany Collection of American Furniture and Decorative Arts

Note: Hiram Powers was an American artist, who became internationally renowned for his Neoclassical sculptures. In his early life, he supported his family through various odd jobs that gave him exposure to the arts. In 1826, Powers began assisting the Prussian sculptor Frederick Eckstein, where he first started learning about sculpture with plaster casts and modeling clay. In 1828, he took drawing classes at Eckstein’s Academy of Fine Arts in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he began to build a reputation as an artist. With new clients and financial support, he relocated to Florence, Italy, in 1837. It is here in Italy where his most famous sculptures were created. Powers learned to carve marble in 1838, from the assistant of sculptor Horatio Greenough and created a workshop in Florence. He excelled at portrait busts and began his most popular works of idealized figures from history, religion and mythology. The sculpture of Proserpine is an example of this and was the most replicated work produced by an American sculptor during the nineteenth century. With his workshop team, Powers carved more than three hundred copies. Hiram Powers created multiple versions of the work Proserpine. The original has a decorative border of acanthus leaves around the bottom, with a second version including a basket to accompany the leaves. Due to high demand, in 1849, Powers created a third version by removing the acanthus leaves and basket, and replacing them with a simple beaded border. This was to help with the production time of the works since the acanthus leaves proved to be too time consuming.

Proserpine is also known as Persephone in Greek mythology. The acanthus leaves in the border of the sculpture symbolize Proserpine’s immortality and resilience in living in both the underworld and on Earth’s surface.

It is thought that his particular bust might have been a special commission due to its atypical size. One matching this size and description is listed as No.148 in the Wunder catalogue and as being sold by David David Gallery whose records no longer exist from the time of publication.

Literature: R.P. Wunder, Hiram Powers: Vermont Sculptor, (1974), No. 223, another example illustrated; R.P. Wunder, Hiram Powers: Vermont Sculptor, vol. II, Catalogue of Works, (1989), No. 223, pp 187-204, another example illustrated.