John Rogers, Rogers Group, Wounded to the Rear, or One More Shot, Sculpture

Description

John Rogers produced twelve war groupings (called Rogers Groups), with this being one of his most popular; indeed, there are photographs of both Rogers himself and George Armstrong Custer each next to this particular sculpture. 

A neighbor of Rogers posed for the standing soldier, wearing the uniform in which he had fought during the war.  It was originally commissioned for a monument that was never produced. 

Excellent with only a few slight, and barely noticeable, blemishes.  A beautiful example still in its original patina, with a slight overall mottling that does not interfere with its presentation in the slightest!

Rogers, John (1829-1904; Sculptor).  WOUNDED TO THE REAR OR ONE MORE SHOT.  NY: circa 1864. Plaster; 23.5” high; 9.5” base width; 10” deep.  Ordered back, a soldier prepares to fire a last shot, while another bends over bandaging his leg.

More About John Rogers

The clay and plaster statue groups made by John Rogers (1829-1904) from 1859 until 1892 were so appealing in late Victorian America that “scarcely a family of reasonable means and taste did not possess one.”

John Rogers portrayed ordinary, everyday, urban and rural people doing ordinary, everyday things. Through his Rogers Groups he offered an unrivaled transcript of the manners, sports, amusements, social customs, domestic interests, costumes, and even modes of furnishing of the period.

John Rogers made statues of Civil War soldiers, family groups, literary topics, theater scenes and historical figures. His statues ranged from eight to forty-six inches tall. Between 1860 and 1893 John Rogers sculpted approximately 85 different patented groups of statuary.  During that period, some 25 workmen in his New York factory turned out thousands of plaster castings of his works.  Of some subjects executed by John Rogers, only a few copies were cast and sold.  Of others, thousands were sold. In John Rogers’ 30 year career, the artist sold over a million dollars of sculpture, a lot of money for art in those days.  It is estimated that a total of 100,000 casting of his groups were produced during John Rogers’ lifetime.  By the 1880s, it seemed that families who did not have a John Rogers Group were not conforming to the times. John Rogers statuary were moderately priced, averaging $14.00 a piece. Roger’s sculptures became a nationwide vogue, and were seen in virtually every art and bookstore window. The appearance of a new John Rogers was a major event covered by reporters across the nation.