Hope

Hiram Powers, Hope, modeled 1866, marble, 28 1⁄2 x 19 1⁄2 x 11 3⁄4 in. (72.5 x 49.4 x 29.7 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase in memory of Ralph Cross Johnson, 1968.155.27
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Artwork Details

Title
Hope
Artist
Date
modeled 1866
Location
Dimensions
28 1⁄2 x 19 1⁄2 x 11 3⁄4 in. (72.5 x 49.4 x 29.7 cm)
Credit Line
Museum purchase in memory of Ralph Cross Johnson
Mediums
Mediums Description
marble
Classifications
Subjects
  • Dress — historic — classical dress
  • Allegory — quality — hope
Object Number
1968.155.27
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1968.155.27

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.

Works by this artist (3 items)

Sidney Gross, Refugees, pencil on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from the Evander Childs High School, Bronx, New York through the General Services Administration, 1975.83.105
Refugees
Artist
pencil on paper
Not on view
Sidney Gross, The New City, 1945, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from the Evander Childs High School, Bronx, New York through the General Services Administration, 1975.83.4
The New City
Artist
Date1945
oil on canvas
Not on view
Sidney Gross, Men and Trees, 1937, pencil on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from the Evander Childs High School, Bronx, New York through the General Services Administration, 1975.83.104
Men and Trees
Artist
Date1937
pencil on paper
Not on view

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Joseph Hardin, Untitled (figure at Table, View of Legs), ca. 1978, colored pencil on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Chuck and Jan Rosenak and museum purchase through the Luisita L. and Franz H. Denghausen Endowment, 1997.124.111
Untitled (figure at Table, View of Legs)
Artist
Dateca. 1978
colored pencil on paper
Not on view
William Zorach, (Untitled--Child's Head), 1925, pencil on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift from the collection of the Zorach children, 1976.145.8
(Untitled – Child’s Head)
Artist
Date1925
pencil on paper
Not on view
Michael Clark, Classic Series, 1970, pencil on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Fendrick, 1980.131.3
Classic Series
Artist
Date1970
pencil on paper
Not on view
Image Not Available
Study for the Pushover
Artist
Date1981
pencil on paper
Not on view