America

Art Historical Context

Hiram Powers' *America* (model 1850–1854, carved after1854) is a neoclassical marble sculpture that captures the spirit of mid-19th-century national pride. Standing at just over 27 inches tall, this elegant bust from the National Gallery of Art Corcoran Collection personifies the young American republic as a poised female figure, her features radiating idealism and resolve. Powers, a leading American expatriate sculptor based in Florence, Italy, renowned for his technically precise marble works, blending classical antiquity with contemporary symbolism. Created during a turbulent era leading up to the Civil War, *America* reflects the era's fervor for patriotic iconography. Powers modeled the piece in the early 1850s, a time when the U.S. was expanding westward and grappling with unity, before final carving—showcasing his mastery of the pointing process to translate plaster models into enduring stone. The smooth, polished marble surface exemplifies neoclassicism's emphasis on idealized anatomy and serene composure, evoking ancient Greek and Roman prototypes while asserting American exceptionalism. This intimate yet monumental work invites visitors to ponder how art forged national identity amid division. A testament to Powers' international acclaim, it remains a gem of sculptural finesse, gifted through the Corcoran Collection by Henry de C. May.

About the Artist

Hiram Powers · 1805–1873

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