John H. Rogers, The Council of War, Sculpture
Lot: 5088
Painted Plaster Sculptures of President Abraham Lincoln, Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton, and General Ulysses S. Grant
Approximate dimensions overall: 25 x 17 x 12 inches. .
(American, 1829 - 1904),
The Council of War, 1868,
Patented March 3, 1868 on base verso.
Version A. Lincoln is depicted discussing the progress of the war with General Grant and Secretary of War Stanton. This was one of the most popular Rogers Group sculptures, and was produced from its 1868 copyright date through at least the early 1900s. Three versions were produced, each with slightly different poses for Secretary Stanton. This is the first version, with Stantons hands apparently polishing his glasses just behind Lincolns head. This pose had a likely unintentional resonance with the assassination, and the hands were moved away from Lincolns head in later versions.