William Wetmore Story (American, 1819-1895). <em>Polyxena</em>, 1873. Marble, statue: 54 1/2 x 24 x 44 1/2 in., 1303 lb. (138.4 x 61 x 113 cm, 591.04kg). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of George Freifeld, 05.240. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 05.240_bw_SL4.jpg)

William Wetmore Story (American, 1819-1895). Polyxena, 1873. Marble, statue: 54 1/2 x 24 x 44 1/2 in., 1303 lb. (138.4 x 61 x 113 cm, 591.04kg). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of George Freifeld, 05.240. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 05.240_bw_SL4.jpg)

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Are there characteristic differences between American neoclassical sculpture and European neoclassical sculpture of the same period?

Hello! American Neoclassical sculpture occurred a little later than the European style. Many American sculptors trained and had their studios overseas, often in Italy, where marble quarries were easily accessible. They visited museums in cities like Rome and Florence and studied classical sculpture, Renaissance and Baroque sculpture, and more recent Neoclassical sculpture.

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Polyxena

William Wetmore Story

American Art

In the middle of the nineteenth century, William Wetmore Story was the leading U.S. sculptor in Rome, internationally renowned for works inspired by classical literature, history, and mythology. This sculpture, taking on the subject of Polyxena, the youngest daughter of King Priam and Queen Hecuba of Troy, was typical of Story’s work.

According to Greek myth, Achilles fell in love with Polyxena and was offered her hand in marriage in exchange for ending the war between the Greeks and the Trojans. After Achilles was killed by Polyxena’s brother, his ghost vengefully demanded that she be sacrificed. Here she sits solemnly waiting to die.

ARTIST William Wetmore Story, American, 1819-1895

MEDIUM Marble

DATES 1873

DIMENSIONS statue: 54 1/2 x 24 x 44 1/2 in., 1303 lb. (138.4 x 61 x 113 cm, 591.04kg) base: 31 x 23 x 44 in., 1701 lb. (78.7 x 58.4 x 111.8 cm, 771.57kg) (show scale)

SIGNATURE Unsigned

INSCRIPTIONS Painted in black on front of base: "POLYXENA. / By / W. W. STORY."

COLLECTIONS American Art

ACCESSION NUMBER 05.240

CREDIT LINE Gift of George Freifeld

EXHIBITIONS

American Art

MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view

CAPTION William Wetmore Story (American, 1819-1895). Polyxena, 1873. Marble, statue: 54 1/2 x 24 x 44 1/2 in., 1303 lb. (138.4 x 61 x 113 cm, 591.04kg). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of George Freifeld, 05.240. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 05.240_bw_SL4.jpg)

IMAGE overall, 05.240_bw_SL4.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2018

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RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY

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