Hiram PowersAmerican, 1805–1873Dr. James G. Playfair
Can I see it?
Yes, on view now
Where is “Dr. James G. Playfair” now? Smithsonian American Art Museum, Luce Foundation Center, 3rd Floor, 17B, Washington, D.C. Yes, on view now. Checked September 25, 2026.
Washington, D.C., United States
RoomLuce Foundation Center, 3rd Floor, 17B
Open now· until 7:00 PM
On public display.
- Checked
- In this state since
- Source
- The museum
About the sculpture
Hiram Powers lost his first child, James Gibson Powers, to a brain tumor when the boy was only four years old, soon after they arrived in Florence. One of the physicians at the child’s bedside was Dr. James G. Playfair from Scotland, who frequently cared for members of the Powers family. As a thank-you, Powers offered to model his portrait, and a replica of this bust was given to the doctor before he returned to England in 1845.
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Details
- Accession number
- 1968.155.111
What it shows
In the catalog
Sources
- Smithsonian American Art Museum
- Image: Smithsonian American Art Museum — CC0
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