Primavera 1890 - 1892

Herbert Adams created Primavera, a polychrome marble bust, sometime in the late 19th or early 20th century in the United States. The sculpture embodies the aesthetic ideals of the American Renaissance, a period marked by a renewed interest in classical art and a desire to create a distinctly American artistic identity. The title, Primavera, Italian for springtime, evokes themes of renewal and beauty often associated with classical art. The work's classical inspiration, however, exists within the social and cultural contexts of its time. We can look at exhibition records, art journals, and critical reviews from the period to investigate how it was received by the public and within the art world. The American Renaissance sought to elevate American culture through beauty and intellectualism. Primavera is an artifact of that cultural project. It reflects the hopes and aspirations of a nation seeking to define itself through its art.