Minneapolis Institute of Art

Bust of the Greek Slave

Sculptor: Hiram Powers

Date

after 1845–46

Medium

Marble

Department

Arts of the Americas

Institution

Minneapolis Institute of Art

After it was first unveiled in 1845, Hiram Powers’ marble sculpture The Greek Slave quickly became one of the most popular artworks in the United States. A life-size rendition of a nude woman in chains, the sculpture was inspired by the Greek War of Independence (1821–29), in which Greeks fought to liberate themselves from the ruling Ottoman Empire. This subject also resonated within debates about slavery in the United States. In the years leading up to the American Civil War (1861–65), antislavery groups adopted this sculpture as a symbol of their cause. The Greek Slave was so popular that Powers went on to create six full-size marble versions plus a number of smaller busts, including this one. Americas

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