Artist:

Hiram Powers, born Woodstock, VT 1805-died Florence, Italy 1873  Search this

Sitter:

Nero  Search this

Nero  Search this

Medium:

plaster

Dimensions:

19 3/4 x 12 1/4 x 8 1/8 in. (50.2 x 31.0 x 20.7 cm)

Type:

Sculpture

Date:

modeled 1843

Luce Center Label:

This portrait was commissioned as a “copy of the infant Nero” by an Englishman named C. Noel Welman. In contrast to many of his ideal sculptures, Hiram Powers modeled this piece to resemble the realistic style of Roman portraiture. Welman asked for a bust with no drapery, but evidently Powers ignored this request and the young child is shown with a Greek himation, or cloak, covering his shoulders.

Topic:

Dress\historic\classical dress  Search this

Study\sculpture model  Search this

Portrait male\bust  Search this

Portrait male\child  Search this

Credit Line:

Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase in memory of Ralph Cross Johnson

Object number:

1968.155.92

Restrictions & Rights:

CC0

See more items in:

Smithsonian American Art Museum Collection

Department:

Painting and Sculpture

On View:

Smithsonian American Art Museum, Luce Foundation Center, 3rd Floor, 17B

Smithsonian American Art Museum, Luce Foundation Center

Smithsonian American Art Museum, Luce Foundation Center, 3rd Floor

Data Source:

Smithsonian American Art Museum

GUID:

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/vk740a040b9-57e0-48ff-af40-8b1cfbb22c22

EDAN-URL:

edanmdm:saam_1968.155.92