Clytie

Hiram Powers, Clytie, modeled ca. 1867, marble, 26 x 19 5⁄8 x 10 1⁄8 in. (66.1 x 49.8 x 25.8 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase in memory of Ralph Cross Johnson, 1968.155.66
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Artwork Details

Title
Clytie
Artist
Date
modeled ca. 1867
Location
Dimensions
26 x 19 5⁄8 x 10 1⁄8 in. (66.1 x 49.8 x 25.8 cm)
Credit Line
Museum purchase in memory of Ralph Cross Johnson
Mediums
Mediums Description
marble
Classifications
Subjects
  • Mythology — classical — Clytie
Object Number
1968.155.66
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1968.155.66

Artwork Description

Clytie is a water nymph from Greek mythology who fell in love with Apollo and never took her eyes off him as he flew across the sky. Eventually, she became a sunflower, forever turning its face with the course of the sun. Hiram Powers likely based this sculpture on an antique Roman bust in the British Museum that was widely reproduced across Europe. Powers added a sunflower to the figure’s hair to symbolize Clytie’s fate.

Works by this artist (80 items)

View all artworks
Morris Kantor, Synthetic Arrangement, 1922, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase, 1966.53
Synthetic Arrangement
Artist
Date1922
oil on canvas
On view
Morris Kantor, Baseball at Night, 1934, oil on linen, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. Morris Kantor, 1976.146.18
Baseball at Night
Artist
Date1934
oil on linen
On view
Morris Kantor, (Untitled--Seated Nude with Four Prominent Ribs), ca. 1918-1919, pencil on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. Morris Kantor, 1976.146.115
(Untitled – Seated Nude with Four Prominent Ribs)
Artist
Dateca. 1918-1919
pencil on paper
Not on view
Morris Kantor, (Untitled, from the series, Monhegan Series), 1944, pencil on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. Morris Kantor, 1976.146.171
(Untitled, from the series, Monhegan Series)
Artist
Date1944
pencil on paper
Not on view