Abbott Lawrence (1792-1855) c. 19th century

Curator: Hiram Powers sculpted this bust of Abbott Lawrence, the prominent 19th-century businessman and politician, now housed at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: My first thought? Stoic. That marble just screams dignified power, doesn’t it? Almost…unapproachable. Curator: Powers crafted this during a time when neoclassical ideals were paramount. He aimed to capture Lawrence’s essence, presenting him as a figure of civic virtue and accomplishment. Editor: You know, it's interesting how a portrait like this becomes less about the person and more about the role. Lawrence, the man, fades into Lawrence, the symbol of industry. Curator: Exactly. The bust served as a public representation, reinforcing the values associated with Lawrence’s legacy and the institutions he supported. Editor: It's like he's been frozen in time, eternally embodying the values of that era. Powerful stuff, really. Curator: Indeed. Powers’s work serves as a window into the past, reflecting how society chooses to immortalize its leaders. Editor: Leaves you wondering how we'll be remembered, doesn't it?