Photograph as originally submitted to this page in the Historical Marker Database www.HMdb.org. Click on photo to resize in browser. Scroll down to see metadata.

Photographer: Allen C. Browne
Taken: February 16, 2015
Caption: Greek Slave
Additional Description: The Greek Slave, modeled between 1841 and 1843, was carved about 1873 by Hiram Powers. It can be seen in the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington, DC.

“Hiram Powers's Greek Slave was among the most popular full-length statues of the nineteenth century. The sculpture was created between 1847 and 1849; more than a hundred thousand people saw it during its tour across America. The figure depicts a Greek woman who has been captured and chained by a Turkish warrior. The statue referred directly to the Greek struggle for independence during the 1820s, but also evoked the issue of slavery in America. Greek Slave was the first nude statue to be widely accepted by the American public. By emphasizing that the slave was stripped by her captors and not naked by choice, Powers gave the public permission to view the statue without fear of embarrassment. Greek Slave became so famous that Powers received numerous requests for replicas, including six full­size marble versions and more than a hundred busts of various sizes.” -- Smithsonian American Art Museum
Submitted: June 19, 2018, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland.
Database Locator Identification Number: p431497
File Size: 1.359 Megabytes

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