Priscilla

Longworth Powers, Priscilla, after 1860, plaster, 18 7⁄8 x 12 1⁄4 x 6 7⁄8 in. (48.0 x 31.1 x 17.4 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase in memory of Ralph Cross Johnson, 1968.155.100
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Artwork Details

Title
Priscilla
Artist
Date
after 1860
Location
Dimensions
18 7⁄8 x 12 1⁄4 x 6 7⁄8 in. (48.0 x 31.1 x 17.4 cm)
Credit Line
Museum purchase in memory of Ralph Cross Johnson
Mediums
Mediums Description
plaster
Classifications
Subjects
  • Figure female — bust
  • Literature — Longfellow — Priscilla
  • Portrait female — unidentified — Priscilla
Object Number
1968.155.100
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1968.155.100

Artwork Description

This sculpture shows the character Priscilla from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s long narrative poem The Courtship of Miles Standish. Longworth Powers may have been inspired to create this sculpture by his father, Hiram, who carved two portraits of Longfellow in the late 1860s. The poem, first published in 1858, tells a story of love and foolishness among three characters: Priscilla Mullins, Miles Standish, and John Alden. John marries Priscilla, after first trying to court her on behalf of Standish. The poet describes Priscilla as a “puritan maiden” who speaks her mind to Alden, and in this piece Powers captured her confident expression as she listens to the young man’s declarations.

Works by this artist (1036 items)

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William H. Johnson, Breakdown with Flat Tire, ca. 1940-1941, oil on plywood, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Harmon Foundation, 1967.59.587
Breakdown with Flat Tire
Artist
Dateca. 1940-1941
oil on plywood
On view
William H. Johnson, Chain Gang, ca. 1939, oil on plywood, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Harmon Foundation, 1967.59.675
Chain Gang
Artist
Dateca. 1939
oil on plywood
On view
William H. Johnson, Ferry Boat Trip, ca. 1943-1944, oil on paperboard, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Harmon Foundation, 1967.59.1011
Ferry Boat Trip
Artist
Dateca. 1943-1944
oil on paperboard
On view
William H. Johnson, Young Pastry Cook, ca. 1928-1930, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Harmon Foundation, 1967.59.693
Young Pastry Cook
Artist
Dateca. 1928-1930
oil on canvas
On view

More Artworks from the Collection

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William H. Johnson, Portrait of a Woman in Profile, ca. 1944, recto: pen and ink and pencil on paper verso: pen and ink on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Harmon Foundation, 1967.59.485R-V
Portrait of a Woman in Profile
Artist
Dateca. 1944
recto: pen and ink and pencil on paper verso: pen and ink on paper
Not on view
Joseph Cornell, On the Name of Susan, 1971, collage with ink, paint and pencil on paperboard, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of The Joseph and Robert Cornell Memorial Foundation, 1991.155.331
On the Name of Susan
Artist
Date1971
collage with ink, paint and pencil on paperboard
Not on view
William H. Johnson, Breakdown Scene, ca. 1940-1941, pen and ink with pencil or carbon transfer on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Harmon Foundation, 1967.59.483
Breakdown Scene
Artist
Dateca. 1940-1941
pen and ink with pencil or carbon transfer on paper
Not on view
William H. Johnson, Two Portrait Heads of a Woman, ca. 1930-1935, pen and ink and pencil on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Harmon Foundation, 1967.59.395
Two Portrait Heads of a Woman
Artist
Dateca. 1930-1935
pen and ink and pencil on paper
Not on view