At the end of the nineteenth century, if you were middle class and you loved art, you probably had a sculpture like this decorating your parlor. This group is titled Checkers Up at the Farm, and the sculptor was John Rogers. Rogers was a railroad mechanic, and he taught himself how to model with clay as a hobby. People loved his first sculptures so much that he decided to turn his hobby into a profession. His subjects were amusing and warm, and captured poignant scenes of American life that everyone could relate to. In this scene, a farmer sits on an upturned basket, hoe still in his right hand. Opposite him is a well-dressed visitor from the city, with his wife and child. The men are playing a game of checkers, and the farmer is laughing as he points to a successful move. Notice the realistic detail of the clothes and the facial expressions. Rogers liked his sculptures to tell simple stories. But the stories had psychological depth and touched people emotionally. Rogers was also a savvy businessman. He patented his sculptures and mass-produced them in inexpensive plaster. He sold them for about fifteen dollars each in his own shop, in general stores and art galleries throughout the East and the Midwest, and eventually directly to customers through a mail-order catalogue. By the end of the nineteenth century, he had sold more than 80,000 sculptures. Today most people have never heard of him, but his works mark the start of popular, accessible art in the U.S. The Historical Society has almost 150 sculptures by John Rogers. The sculptures he sold to the public are in plaster, but this one is a bronze master model that he used to make the plasters. Look around in this case and you'll see many of them.
The New-York Historical Society is able to produce illuminating exhibitions, public programs, and make a priceless collection accessible to the public through the generosity of donations and membership. Help us make history matter by joining today. http://www.nyhistory.org/support
new york life Checkers up at the Farm by John Rogers (424) | New-York Historical Society | |
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| People & Blogs | Upload TimePublished on 27 May 2009 |
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