The Greek Slave at The Corcoran Gallery, Washington DC

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The Greek Slave, a life-size American sculpture depicting a fully nude female figure, made history as the first publicly exhibited work of its kind. It received unprecedented popular and critical acclaim, cementing its place as arguably America's most famous sculpture ever created. Hiram Powers' masterpiece not only earned him international recognition but also significantly boosted the reputation of American art and culture worldwide. After completing his first Greek Slave in 1844, which is now part of Raby Castle's collection in England, Powers produced five full-size replicas. In 1851, William Wilson Corcoran purchased this particular marble, one of those replicas, marking a significant milestone in its history. The tour of two versions of the sculpture, including Corcoran's, around the eastern United States from 1847 to 1851 solidified the Greek Slave's status as one of America's most celebrated works of art. Powers carefully showcased his marble with texts that highlighted the subject's "high moral and intellectual beauty," aware that its nudity might be viewed unfavorably by a conservative American art audience. However, it was the figure's nudity that increased its notoriety, but also contributed to its acclaim in mid-19th century America. The sculpture's connection to Greece's struggle for independence in the 1820s served as inspiration, and many responses linked it to the ongoing debate over American slavery. This timely subject resonated deeply with the public. William Wilson Corcoran proudly displayed the prized sculpture in his Washington mansion, where it generated enormous publicity and reinforced his reputation as a discerning collector. In Florence, Powers was overwhelmed by demand for more full-size versions and busts of the Greek Slave. Its popularity also permeated popular culture, inspiring miniature reproductions, designs for chewing-tobacco tins, poetry, and sheet music. This sculpture is part of "Scan The World," a non-profit initiative launched by MyMiniFactory to create a digital archive of fully 3D printable sculptures, artworks, and landmarks from around the world. By contributing interesting items, you can help build this community-driven effort. To learn more about how to participate, email stw@myminifactory.com.