![Smithsonian-Powers-The Last of the Tribes-2091](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b4/Smithsonian-Powers-The_Last_of_the_Tribes-2091.jpg)
''The Last of the Tribes'' is a
neo-classical sculpture by
Hiram Powers
Hiram Powers (July 29, 1805 – June 27, 1873) was an American neoclassical sculptor. He was one of the first 19th-century American artists to gain an international reputation, largely based on his famous marble sculpture ''The Greek Slave''.
...
(1805–1873).
The sculpture was modelled between 1867 and 1872 from
marble
Marble is a metamorphic rock composed of recrystallized carbonate minerals, most commonly calcite or Dolomite (mineral), dolomite. Marble is typically not Foliation (geology), foliated (layered), although there are exceptions. In geology, the ...
and depicts a partially nude, young
Native American girl walking with her head turned slightly to one side. It was
Hiram Powers
Hiram Powers (July 29, 1805 – June 27, 1873) was an American neoclassical sculptor. He was one of the first 19th-century American artists to gain an international reputation, largely based on his famous marble sculpture ''The Greek Slave''.
...
' last full-length sculpture.
While Powers also produced many
busts, he was noted for his full-lengths, especially his sculptures entitled ''Eve'' and ''
The Greek Slave
''The Greek Slave'' is a marble sculpture by the American sculptor Hiram Powers. It was one of the best-known and critically acclaimed American artworks of the nineteenth century, and is among the most popular American sculptures ever. It was the ...
'', both of which are nude. At the time, nude and partially nude sculptures and paintings were frowned upon and Powers received criticism from most of society for his work, but his art was and still is enjoyed by the majority of those who see it. ''The Last of the Tribes'' has been on public display at the
Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (MFAH), is an art museum located in the Houston Museum District of Houston, Texas. With the recent completion of an eight-year campus redevelopment project, including the opening of the Nancy and Rich Kinder Build ...
since 2001.
''The Last of the Tribes'' drew more attention recently when it was part of The
United States Academic Decathlon
The Academic Decathlon (also called AcDec, AcaDeca or AcaDec) is an annual high school academic competition organized by the non-profit United States Academic Decathlon (USAD). The competition consists of seven objective multiple choice tests, tw ...
2003-2004 curriculum. The focus for that year was on the
Lewis and Clark Expedition
The Lewis and Clark Expedition, also known as the Corps of Discovery Expedition, was the United States expedition to cross the newly acquired western portion of the country after the Louisiana Purchase. The Corps of Discovery was a select gro ...
and Native Americans.
References
Stone sculptures in Texas
1872 sculptures
Marble sculptures in Texas
1872 establishments in Texas
Sculptures of Native Americans in Texas
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