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Image scanned and/or photographed, then color-corrected by Pat Cagney.
Faith
Image scanned and/or photographed, then color-corrected by Pat Cagney.
Image scanned and/or photographed, then color-corrected by Pat Cagney.

Faith

Artist Hiram Powers (American, 1805-1873)
Datemodeled ca. 1866-67
MediumMarble
DimensionsOverall: 28 1/2 x 19 5/8 x 12 1/8 in. (72.4 x 49.8 x 30.8 cm)
ClassificationsAmerican art
Credit LineGift of James H. Ricau and Museum purchase
Object number86.500
Terms
  • Faith
  • White
  • Neoclassical
  • Florence, Italy
Collections
On View
On view
DescriptionThis is a marble bust of Faith, a theological virtue. The chest shows one breast exposed; a drapery goes over one of her shoulders. Her wavy hair is pulled back and she wears a small diadem with a cross. Her face is modeled in the classic style complete with a very straight nose.

Label TextHiram Powers American, 1805–1873 left to right Faith, modeled ca. 1866–67 Marble Charity, modeled 1867, carved ca. 1871 Marble Hope, modeled 1866 Marble The father of the American school of Neoclassical sculptors, Hiram Powers presents the Christian virtues of Faith, Hope, and Charity. Basing his designs on ancient imperial portrait busts, he swathed the female personifications in simple Greco-Roman drapery. Their uniformly smooth facial features and dignified, calm expressions are typical of Powers’ “ideal heads.” Only the Christian attributes displayed in their hair distinguish them from one another: Faith wears a crown decorated with a cross, Charity radiates the flame of divine love, and Hope displays an anchor, a symbol of steadfastness. Gifts of James H. Ricau and Museum purchases 86.500, 86.502, 86.501, respectively
New photography by Shannon Ruff captured with a digital camera-2007.
Hope
Hiram Powers
modeled 1866
New photography by Shannon Ruff captured with a digital camera-2007.
Charity
Hiram Powers
modeled 1867, carved ca. 1871
Image scanned and/or photographed, then color-corrected by Pat Cagney.
Bust of America
Hiram Powers
modeled ca. 1850-54
Image scanned/or photographed from transparency and color corrected by Pat Cagney.
Proserpine
Hiram Powers
modeled 1844
New photography by Shannon Ruff captured with a digital camera-2007.
Bust of California
Hiram Powers
modeled ca. 1860, carved ca. 1865–66
New photography by Shannon Ruff captured with a digital camera-2007.
Bust of Eve Disconsolate
Hiram Powers
ca. 1862
Image scanned and/or photographed, then color-corrected by Pat Cagney.
Portrait of Emily Stevenson Davis Harris
Hiram Powers
1867
Photograph by Ed Pollard, Hasselblad H4D50 - 2018.
Bust of Diana
Hiram Powers
modeled 1852
Image scanned and/or photographed, then color-corrected by Pat Cagney.
Bust of Clytie
Hiram Powers
modeled ca.1865-67, carved after 1868
Image scanned and/or photographed, then color-corrected by Pat Cagney.
Portrait Of Longworth Powers
Hiram Powers
No Date
New photography by Shannon Ruff captured with a digital camera-2007.
Fisher Boy
Hiram Powers
modeled 1843-1844
New photography by Shannon Ruff captured with a digital camera-2007.
The Greek Slave
Hiram Powers
ca. 1850
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