Edmund Pendleton Gaines

Hiram Powers, Edmund Pendleton Gaines, modeled ca. 1837, marble, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase in memory of Ralph Cross Johnson, 1968.155.14
Copied Hiram Powers, Edmund Pendleton Gaines, modeled ca. 1837, marble, 20 7⁄8 x 14 7⁄8 x 10 3⁄4 in. (53.0 x 37.7 x 27.2 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase in memory of Ralph Cross Johnson, 1968.155.14
Free to use

Artwork Details

Title
Edmund Pendleton Gaines
Artist
Date
modeled ca. 1837
Location
Dimensions
20 7⁄8 x 14 7⁄8 x 10 3⁄4 in. (53.0 x 37.7 x 27.2 cm)
Credit Line
Museum purchase in memory of Ralph Cross Johnson
Mediums
Mediums Description
marble
Classifications
Subjects
  • Occupation — military — general
  • Portrait male — Gaines, Edmund Pendleton
  • Portrait male — Gaines, Edmund Pendleton — bust
Object Number
1968.155.14
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1968.155.14

Artwork Description

After the War of 1812, General Edmund Pendleton Gaines was promoted to major general and received a gold medal for his service. During the Mexican War, he was court-martialed for failing to obey orders, but the charges were dropped after he defended his patriotism. This bust was modeled at the request of General Memucan Hunt, a soldier and politician who also sat for Hiram Powers. After the sculpture was completed, Powers described how General Gaines “brought a bevy of ladies . . . to look at his bust . . . and did everything but gobble while they praised it.”