Proserpine

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Proserpine, or Persephone, is a legendary figure from ancient Greek mythology who was compelled to spend part of every year in the underworld. Her absence from earth was believed to bring about winter, while her return signaled the arrival of spring. Hiram Powers created the original bust of Proserpine with an intricate woven basket overflowing with flowers in mind. Unfortunately, this proved too labor-intensive and costly to carve, so it was replaced by a simple arrangement of acanthus leaves instead. Proserpine went on to be replicated more than any other work produced by a nineteenth-century American sculptor, with Powers's studio crafting over three hundred copies.