A 19TH CENTURY MARBLE BUST OF EVE, POSSIBLY BY HIRAM POWERS (AMERICAN, 1805-1873)

A 19TH CENTURY MARBLE BUST OF EVE, POSSIBLY BY HIRAM POWERS (AMERICAN, 1805-1873)

her hair centrally parted and arranged in a loose bun with a tied ribbon, unsigned,

53cm high

This fascinating bust displays many stylistic features that are typical of the work of Hiram Powers; and bears a close resemblance to his bust of 'Eve Disconsolate'. The centrally parted hair, carefully swept back and artfully arranged; the facial features and the undulating edge of the base of the bust are all typical features of Hiram Powers' work. See for instance his portrait of Anstiss Derby Rogers, circa 1843. This lady requested Powers to produce a portrait bust of her in the style of his bust of Prosperine, with the bust cut at the base with an undulating edge. This bust also features a near identical arrangement to the hair as the present bust. (Smithsonian Museum, US, Inv. No.1968.155.99). See also his bust of Prosperpine in the Albright Knox museum, circa 1839, this version is cut at the chest like our example and does not feature the usual arrangement of leaves.

This style of bust proved popular and some other American sculptors also adopted this treatment, including Harriett Hosmer, (see bust of Daphne, Metropolitan Museum of Art, New YorK, and Medusa, Detroit Institute of Arts)

Other busts by Hiram Powers that feature the same unusual treatment to the bottom edge of the bust including:

Greek Slave Bust (1845-1846) (Berkshire Museum, MA, US)

Prosperpine (third version, without foliage at the base,1849) (Smithsonian, Washington, US)

Eve Disconsolate (1862), (Brooklyn Museum, US).

All of these busts are illustrated in Hiram Powers: Life v. 1: Vermont Sculptor, 1805-73 (The American arts series) by Wunder, Richard P.)