Second version, acquired by James Robb of New Orleans, 1848

George Healy, James Robb, ca. 1845. Oil on canvas. Historic New Orleans Collection, New Orleans. George Healy, James Robb, ca. 1845. Oil on canvas. Historic New Orleans Collection, New Orleans.

“Power’s Greek Slave,” Daily Picayune (New Orleans), November 14, 1848, 6.“Power’s Greek Slave,” Daily Picayune (New Orleans), November 14, 1848, 6.
Second version, acquired by James Robb of New Orleans, 1848
James Robb (1814–81), a banker, politician, and railroad magnate based in New Orleans, had ordered a version of The Greek Slave from Powers in 1845. At that time Powers already had other orders for the statue, including from Lord Ward. When Ward declined the second version and Powers sent it on tour to North America, Robb claimed the statue was his. A bitter dispute ensued, ending with the statue being ceded to Robb in June 1848. (See Cybèle T. Gontar’s essay.)