Senator William Campbell Preston

Hiram Powers, Senator William Campbell Preston, modeled 1837, plaster, 26 7⁄8 x 23 7⁄8 x 12 1⁄4 in. (68.3 x 60.6 x 31.0 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase in memory of Ralph Cross Johnson, 1968.155.9
Free to use

Artwork Details

Title
Senator William Campbell Preston
Artist
Date
modeled 1837
Location
Dimensions
26 7⁄8 x 23 7⁄8 x 12 1⁄4 in. (68.3 x 60.6 x 31.0 cm)
Credit Line
Museum purchase in memory of Ralph Cross Johnson
Mediums
Mediums Description
plaster
Classifications
Subjects
  • Portrait male — Preston, William Campbell — bust
  • Occupation — political — senator
  • Study — sculpture model
  • Dress — historic — classical dress
Object Number
1968.155.9
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1968.155.9

Artwork Description

William Campbell Preston was the elder brother of John S. Preston, who funded Hiram Powers’s move to Italy in 1837. The Preston brothers became significant patrons of the artist during his time in Washington, commissioning portraits and introducing him to prominent men in the city. Senator Preston and his wife ordered marble replicas of their portraits to be completed after Powers reached Italy, giving the artist some guaranteed income after his departure from America.