Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-1882) 1869

Editor: Here we have Hiram Powers' marble bust of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. It’s quite striking, the way the light catches the carved details. What can you tell me about its cultural significance? Curator: Powers, an American sculptor, created this during a period of intense nation-building. Consider how portraying Longfellow, a celebrated poet, in a classical style elevates American culture on par with European traditions. Does that affect your reading of the work? Editor: It does. It feels like an attempt to create an American pantheon. I hadn’t thought about the political implications of the style. Curator: Exactly. And the public display of such works in museums reinforced these values, shaping a shared national identity. Think about the power dynamics at play in choosing who gets immortalized. Editor: That’s a really interesting perspective; it makes me think about whose stories get told and why. Curator: Indeed, and the artwork’s location within Harvard adds another layer to this narrative. There’s always an institutional context to consider. Editor: I'll definitely be paying more attention to those power structures in the future!