Charity

Hiram Powers, Charity, modeled ca. 1867, plaster, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase in memory of Ralph Cross Johnson, 1968.155.74
Copied Hiram Powers, Charity, modeled ca. 1867, plaster, 25 3⁄8 x 20 3⁄4 x 13 3⁄8 in. (64.3 x 52.7 x 33.9 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase in memory of Ralph Cross Johnson, 1968.155.74
Free to use

Artwork Details

Title
Charity
Artist
Date
modeled ca. 1867
Location
Dimensions
25 3⁄8 x 20 3⁄4 x 13 3⁄8 in. (64.3 x 52.7 x 33.9 cm)
Credit Line
Museum purchase in memory of Ralph Cross Johnson
Mediums
Mediums Description
plaster
Classifications
Subjects
  • Allegory — quality — charity
  • Figure female — bust
  • Study — sculpture model
  • Dress — historic — classical dress
Object Number
1968.155.74
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1968.155.74

Artwork Description

The three busts Hope, Faith, and Charity were commissioned by Marshall Woods, a prominent figure from Rhode Island. In 1852 he visited Hiram Powers’s studio and requested a pair of ideal sculptures. Powers did not act on this, however, and on a second trip to Florence fourteen years later Woods repeated his request. Powers persuaded him to commission three statues instead of two, of the Christian virtues faith, hope, and charity. All three figures have the same composed expression, but Powers created different emotions by altering the direction of each woman’s gaze: Hope looks to the side in anticipation, Faith lifts her head with confidence, and Charity stares straight ahead in contemplation.