The Promised Land 1873 - 1874

Franklin Simmons created this marble sculpture, "The Promised Land," in the late 19th century. Marble has a cool, smooth quality that invites touch, but its true appeal lies in its capacity to mimic flesh. Notice the way Simmons has used the stone to evoke the softness of the woman's draped clothing, and the delicate rendering of her hair. Simmons was working within a long tradition of neoclassical sculpture, which prized technical virtuosity and the ability to create seemingly lifelike forms from inert stone. Sculptors often relied on workshops of skilled artisans to assist with the carving process. The subject matter adds another layer of complexity. The "promised land" may represent a hopeful vision of the future after the American Civil War. Consider the labor involved in both quarrying the marble and carving it into this form, and the socio-political context it reflects, challenging traditional notions of art and craft.