Maria Mitchell In Her Own Words

Jascin N. Leonardo Finger • February 22, 2022

Feb. 1. I called on Miss Hosmer’s studio today . . . .


Harriet Hosmer was a fellow Massachusetts native. Born in Watertown in 1830, her body of work was largely completed during her time in Rome where Maria would meet her and visit at her studio multiple times. I believe that in her book of pressed leaves from her European trip, Maria has one from Hosmer’s studio (I mean, how fantastic is that?!)


Hosmer was supported in her desire to sculpt by her physician father who had lost his wife (Harriet’s mother) and children (Harriet’s siblings) – including sending her away to St. Louis to enroll in school so that she could learn human anatomy – something that was not necessarily taught to women in the nineteenth century. In Rome, she was surrounded by artists, writers, and other ex-pats. She found herself among other women sculptors – a group that Henry James would refer to as the “White Marmorean Flock.” Hosmer would know Nathaniel Hawthorne (she inspired a character in The Marble Faun – as did Maria Mitchell) – and whom Maria Mitchell travelled with – thus likely what brought Maria to Hosmer’s studio door. Hosmer’s sculpture of “Puck” from “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” is probably her most well-known. 


I do remember Maria making comments about Hosmer in other places in her journals. Something along the lines of impish or mischievous and I will have to go back and figure out where I read that. James called her the “life of the party” apparently so she had some mercurial tendencies.


I highly advise you go seek more information on Hosmer – and her works. An incredible life and artist.


JNLF

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