Abastenia St. Eberle White Slave

Gallery A
American Sculpture and Decorative Art

Eberle's White Slave (left) drew an investigation during the Armory Show by a Chicago censure committee for its open portrayal of the sex industry. At the time of the Armory Show, there were a number of American organizations set up to eradicate prostitution: the National Vigilance Committee, the American Purity Federation, and the Alliance for the Suppression and Prevention of the White Slave Traffic, among others (Casteras 33). However, some felt Eberle's model was "too realistic a portrayal of greed and lust; the seamy side of life was still deemed inappropriate for sculpture." (Fort 78) Eberle, unlike many Ashcan painters, did not study with Robert Henri but with Kenyon Cox, one of strongest opponents to many of the works shown at the Armory Show.