Statuary

In addition to everything else J.M. Davis also collected the statuary art of John Rogers. To see a few of the many pieces of John Rogers' statuary in our collection click on the statue at left.

Called "the Norman Rockwell of the 19th century," Rogers was an artist who sought to portray in his statuary the feelings and interests of the everyday person. In the humble medium of plaster, the self-taught artist was a master at capturing the customs, habits, and emotions that make up the comedy and drama of everyday life.

He produced his first statuary figures in 1859, and between 1860 and 1893 created 80 different patented groups. In his New York studio, some 25 workman turned out hundreds of plaster reproductions. By the 1880s, it seemed that families who did not have one of the homey pieces were not conforming to the times. Even Abraham Lincoln had one.

The sculptures were moderately priced, averaging $14.00 a piece. Roger's statuary became a nationwide vogue, and was seen in virtually every art and bookstore window. The appearance of a new group was a major event covered by reporters from the nation's newspapers.

Of some subjects, a hundred copies were cast and sold: of others, thousands were sold. In the 30 years of Rogers' fame, the artist sold over a million dollars of sculpture, a lot of money for art in those days.