Name Preston Powers | Died 1931, Florence, Italy | |
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Born 1843 Florence, Italy Known for American sculptor, painter, and teacher Notable work statue "The Closing of an Era" at the Colorado State Capitol in Denver | ||
Preston Powers (1843 – 1931) American sculptor, painter, and teacher, born in Florence, Italy. He is also known as William Preston Powers.
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Biography
Powers studied with his father, Hiram Powers, a well known Neo-classical sculptor and expatriate who lived in Italy. After returning to the United States, the younger Powers worked as an artist in Boston Massachusetts, Washington D.C. and Portland Maine. Powers eventually became his father's personal secretary, a position he held until Hiram Powers' death in 1873. Preston sued his mother for inadequate support after the details of his father's will became known, as it declared his widow as sole heir. In order to keep peace within the family, Preston Powers was made the supervisor of Hiram Powers' studio-workshop, which eventually closed in 1877. He later operated his own studio across the street from his mother's house but insisted on harassing her with additional lawsuits. Preston Powers died penniless in Florence, Italy, and was buried in the pauper's section of the Allori Protestant Cemetery located outside the city.
Work
Powers' statue "The Closing of an Era" at the Colorado State Capitol in Denver depicts an American Indian in triumph over a fallen bison. The granite for the statue came from Fremont County, Colorado. The sculpture was completed for the Chicago World's Fair in 1893. Powers' friend John Greenleaf Whittier wrote the poem inscribed at the base of the monument.
Preston Powers sculpted several portrait busts; some of his most notable creations include:
He is best remembered for his portraits. His students include Alice Cooper and Elsie Ward.