Harriet Hosmer

Harriet hosmer

Harriet Hosmer
Born	Harriet Goodhue Hosmer (1830-10-09)October 9, 1830 Watertown, Massachusetts, U.S.
Died	February 21, 1908(1908-02-21) (aged 77) Watertown, Massachusetts, U.S.
Nationality	American
Known for	Sculpture
Notable work	Zenobia in Chains, Beatrice Cenci

Harriet Goodhue Hosmer (October 9, 1830 – February 21, 1908) was a pioneering American sculptor who achieved international fame during the 19th century. She is considered one of the leading female sculptors of her time and a key figure in the neoclassical movement.

Early Life

Harriet Hosmer was born in Watertown, Massachusetts, to Dr. Hiram Hosmer and Sarah Grant Hosmer. After the early death of her mother and siblings, her father encouraged her to pursue physical activities and intellectual development, which was unusual for women at the time. She attended the Sedgewick School in Lenox, Massachusetts, where she developed an interest in art and sculpture.

Education and Training

Hosmer studied anatomy at the St. Louis Medical College to gain a better understanding of the human form, a crucial skill for a sculptor. She then moved to Rome, Italy, in 1852 to study under the English sculptor John Gibson. In Rome, she became part of an expatriate community of artists and writers, including Nathaniel Hawthorne, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, and Robert Browning.

Career

Harriet Hosmer's career took off with her first major work, Daphne, which was well-received. She gained further acclaim with her sculpture Zenobia in Chains (1859), which depicted the Palmyrene queen in captivity. This work was praised for its powerful expression and technical skill.

Other notable works include Beatrice Cenci, Puck, and Sleeping Faun. Hosmer's sculptures often featured strong female figures and mythological themes, reflecting her interest in women's rights and classical antiquity.

Personal Life

Hosmer never married and was known for her independent spirit. She maintained close friendships with several prominent women of her time, including Louisa May Alcott and Elizabeth Barrett Browning. Hosmer was also an advocate for women's rights and was involved in various social causes.

Legacy

Harriet Hosmer's work remains influential, and she is remembered as a trailblazer for women in the arts. Her sculptures are held in various collections, including the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Selected Works

• Daphne
• Zenobia in Chains
• Beatrice Cenci
• Puck
• Sleeping Faun

See Also

• Neoclassicism
• Women in art
• American sculpture