Preston Powers

Preston Powers (1843 – 1931) was an American sculptor, painter, and teacher, born in Florence, Italy. He is pen name William Preston Powers.

Powers studied in the ventilate of his father, Hiram Powers, a without difficulty known Neo-classical sculptor and expatriate who lived in Italy. After returning to the United States, the younger Powers worked as an artiste in Boston Massachusetts, Washington D.C. and Portland Maine. Powers eventually became his father's personal secretary, a slant he held until Hiram Powers' death in 1873. Preston sued his mommy for inadequate retain after the details of his father's will became known, as it declared his widow as sole heir. In order to save peace within the family, Preston Powers was made the executive of Hiram Powers' studio-workshop, which eventually closed in 1877. He innovative operated his own studio across the street from his mother's home but insisted on harassing her with supplementary lawsuits. Preston Powers died penniless in Florence, Italy, and was buried in the pauper's section of the Allori Protestant Cemetery located outdoor the city.

Powers' statue The Closing of an Era at the Colorado State Capitol in Denver depicts an American Indian in triumph exceeding a fallen bison. The granite for the statue came from Fremont County, Colorado. The sculpture was completed for the Chicago World's Fair in 1893. Powers' friend John Greenleaf Whittier wrote the poem inscribed at the base of the monument.

Preston Powers sculpted several portrait busts; some of his most notable creations include:

He is best remembered for his portraits.^{[citation needed]} His students increase Alice Cooper and Elsie Ward.