Psyche

Hiram Powers, Psyche, modeled 1848, plaster, 25 1817 189 34 in. (63.843.624.7 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase in memory of Ralph Cross Johnson, 1968.155.86
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Artwork Details

Title
Psyche
Artist
Date
modeled 1848
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
25 1817 189 34 in. (63.843.624.7 cm)
Credit Line
Museum purchase in memory of Ralph Cross Johnson
Mediums
Mediums Description
plaster
Classifications
Subjects
  • Mythology — classical — Psyche
  • Study — sculpture model
Object Number
1968.155.86

Artwork Description

According to Greek mythology, Psyche was a beautiful maiden who fell in love with Cupid. Cupid's mother, Aphrodite, was jealous of Psyche's beauty and tried to keep the lovers apart. Eventually, however, Aphrodite realized that Cupid and Psyche were destined to be together and so she made Psyche immortal. Psyche is also the Greek word for "soul" and "butterfly." In his sculpture, Hiram Powers portrays Psyche as a young woman with delicate facial features and a butterfly in her curling hair, a symbol of her transformation into womanhood. The sculpture was commissioned in 1848 by wealthy Boston merchant Ignatius Sargent, who had purchased several sculptures from Powers. Over the next fifteen years, Powers made nine marble and three plaster copies of this ideal figure.

Works by this artist (164 items)

Hiram Powers, Louisa Powers' Hand, 1839, plaster and fabric trim, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase in memory of Ralph Cross Johnson, 1968.155.128
Louisa Powers’ Hand
Date1839
plaster and fabric trim
On view
Hiram Powers, Anna Hazard Barker Ward, modeled 1837-1838, plaster, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase in memory of Ralph Cross Johnson, 1968.155.35
Anna Hazard Barker Ward
Datemodeled 1837-1838
plaster
On view
Hiram Powers, Anstiss Derby Rogers Wetmore, modeled 1843, plaster and metal pins, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase in memory of Ralph Cross Johnson, 1968.155.99
Anstiss Derby Rogers Wetmore
Datemodeled 1843
plaster and metal pins
On view
Hiram Powers, John Slidell, modeled 1840, plaster, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase in memory of Ralph Cross Johnson, 1968.155.26
John Slidell
Datemodeled 1840
plaster
On view

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