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Harriet Hosmer

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Artist

The Resume

    (October 9, 1830-February 21, 1908)
    Born in Watertown, Massachusetts
    Neoclassical sculptor
    Spent most of her career in Italy and England
    Works include 'Clasped Hands of Robert and Elizabeth Barrett Browning,' 'Medusa,' 'Beatrice Cenci,' 'Zenobia, Queen of Palmyra,' 'Sleeping Faun,' 'Waking Faun,' 'Freedman's Monument,' 'Dolphin Fountain,' and 'Queen Isabella of Castille'

Why she might be annoying:

    She received her first commission from the father of one of her former classmates.
    She tried to invent a perpetual motion machine.
    She led a group of expat female sculptors that Henry James called 'the white marmorean flock.' (I don't know what it means either, but the Encyclopedia Britannica describes the remark as 'slightly disparaging,' so I figure it goes in the 'Annoying' half.)

Why she might not be annoying:

    She was the first female sculptor to support herself through her art.
    She wrote a step-by-step explanation of how she created 'Zenobia' to refute accusations (reflecting the then-common belief that large-scale sculptures were beyond the physical ability of a woman) that her work was actually done by male assistants.
    She said, 'I honor every woman who has strength enough to step outside the beaten path... strength enough to stand up and be laughed at, if necessary.'

Credit: C. Fishel


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2023, Out of 2 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 1 Votes: 0% Annoying