Name/Title
"Taking the Oath"Entry/Object ID
2016.6.1Description
Gray plaster statue of a man, woman, and two children. The man appears in uniform, tipping his hat and holding a book on which rests the woman's hand. She is wearing a long dress, looking down toward her hand that is resting on the head of a small boy clutching her gown. On the other side of the soldier is a presumably enslaved boy in tattered clothing and no shoes. He is leaning on a basket on a barrel, watching the interaction between the man, woman, and other child. The title of the piece is inscribed on the base, "Taking the Oath and Drawing the Rations."Type of Sculpture
Free StandingContext
Instituted near the end of the Civil War, the United States required citizens to recite an oath in exchange for several things, such as the ability to travel, hold political office, purchase supplies or goods, protect personal property, or for help from the government. Depicted in this statue appears to be a white woman in modest clothing taking the oath on a Bible while standing next to a Union soldier. Clinging to her is a young boy, likely her son, whose toe is visible through the worn shoe, a symbol of his need for her to take the oath. Also depicted is a Black boy with a basket who is intently watching the ordeal, likely waiting for sustenance as well but unable to rely on an adult figure. This young boy would have recently been freed from slavery, but his presence may indict he is still in the woman's service.
American sculptor John Rodgers (1829–1904) came from a merchant family yet always had a passion for art. After the Depression of 1857 ended his work as a railroad mechanic, Rogers turned to sculpting. He created a series, often referred to as "Rogers Groups," of people during the Civil War that show societal changes and every-day moments for United States citizens. His work was commonly mass-produced in cast plaster, which was then painted a solid gray color. This method made his work affordable to middle-class Americans, and his popularity led to the moniker, "the people's sculptor."Made/Created
Artist
John Rogers (Sculptor)Date made
1866 - 1892Notes
Statue by sculptor John Rogers titled Taking the Oath. Patented 1866. This copy could have been made later, up to Rogers' retirement in 1892.Dimensions
Height
22-1/2 inWidth
11 inDepth
7 in
