Proserpine after 1844

Hiram Powers created this bust of Proserpine in the 19th century using marble. The smooth, pale surface of the stone lends itself perfectly to the neoclassical style, emphasizing idealized beauty. Powers skillfully carved the marble to create a lifelike representation of the Roman goddess. The bust has a cool, almost untouchable quality. Consider the labor involved in quarrying, transporting, and carving this material. It reflects the networks of trade and the skilled craftsmanship that underpinned artistic production in the 1800s. Marble, with its inherent density and permanence, elevates the subject, associating it with enduring concepts like mythology and classical aesthetics. The choice of marble elevates this artwork beyond mere representation, linking it to a rich tradition of artistic and cultural values, blurring the lines between craft and fine art.