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Neighborhoring Pews by John Rogers

Neighborhoring Pews by John Rogers

Neighboring Pews by John Rogers, 1883. Plaster, 19 x 16 inches.

"It is time for a hymn in church, and the lovely young woman and the dapper young man have risen to sing. She is uncertain of the page, so he obligingly leans over, pointing out the place in his hymnal as he looks at her engagingly. The old lady (perhaps the young woman's grandmother?) glances up disapprovingly. The lad lounging on the front pew has put on the man's top hat and pulled on his too-large gloves. Are the two brothers? Or might we suspect that the youth is the girl's brother to whom the loan of the hat and gloves is another stratagem in this game of the heart? "'Rogers Groups' were the most popular pieces of sculpture in America between 1860 and 1895. Rogers was, in fact, probably the most popular sculptor the country has ever known. He made about 80 groups in bronze, and from molds of them he produced about 80,000 plaster casts. The casts, originally painted soft tan, were sold by mail order for an average price of $15."

Gift of Miss Stella Matthews, Miss Elsie Matthews, and Mrs. Bertha Matthews Harrison.

Artist
John Rogers
Date of Work
1883
Medium
Plaster Sculpture
Credit
The White House Historical Association (White House Collection)

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