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Katherine Foote

Object Details

Luce Center Label
In 1828, Hiram Powers enrolled at the Academy of Fine Arts in Cincinnati and modeled his first formal sculptures. Four-year-old Katherine Foote, the daughter of John Preston Foote, sat for him in the fall of that year. The cold weather hindered work in clay, so Powers made the initial bust in beeswax. He considered this portrait to be his very first completed sculpture, describing all previous attempts as being left “in the rough.” (Richard P. Wunder, Hiram Powers, 1989-91)
Luce Object Quote
“So far as the likeness and finish of it are concerned, I have never surpassed it, nor could I improve it now, if I except some portions of the hair.” The artist quoted by Samuel Yorke Atlee, in Richard P. Wunder, Hiram Powers, 1989-91
Credit Line
Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase in memory of Ralph Cross Johnson
Data Source
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Date
modeled ca. 1828
Object number
1968.155.93
Artist
Hiram Powers, born Woodstock, VT 1805-died Florence, Italy 1873
Sitter
Katherine Foote
Katherine Foote
Restrictions & Rights
CC0
Type
Sculpture
Medium
plaster
Dimensions
18 3/4 x 10 1/8 x 8 in. (47.5 x 25.8 x 20.2 cm)
See more items in
Smithsonian American Art Museum Collection
Department
Painting and Sculpture
On View
Smithsonian American Art Museum, Luce Foundation Center, 3rd Floor, 17B
Smithsonian American Art Museum, Luce Foundation Center
Smithsonian American Art Museum, Luce Foundation Center, 3rd Floor
Topic
Study\sculpture model
Portrait female\child
Portrait female\bust
Record ID
saam_1968.155.93
Usage
CC0
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/vk71698c3bb-6864-46a2-b97c-cbdd671dc593
This image is in the public domain (free of copyright restrictions). You can copy, modify, and distribute this work without contacting the Smithsonian. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Open Access page.
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IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and media viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. Visit the IIIF page to learn more.
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Open daily 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Admission is always free!

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Our entrance is on the corner of First Street and Massachusetts Avenue NE.

street map of Postal museum

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