The Council of War

John Rogers, The Council of War, modeled ca. 1873, painted plaster, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase, 1967.114
Copied John Rogers, The Council of War, modeled ca. 1873, painted plaster, 24 1817 1813 78 in. (61.343.435.1 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase, 1967.114
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Artwork Details

Title
The Council of War
Artist
Date
modeled ca. 1873
Dimensions
24 1817 1813 78 in. (61.343.435.1 cm)
Credit Line
Museum purchase
Mediums
Mediums Description
painted plaster
Classifications
Keywords
  • Figure group — male
  • Occupation — political — president
  • History — United States — Civil War
  • Portrait male — Lincoln, Abraham — full length
  • Portrait male — Grant, Ulysses S. — full length
Object Number
1967.114

Artwork Description

The Council of War depicts President Abraham Lincoln, Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton, and General Ulysses S. Grant discussing the Civil War. John Rogers made the group at the suggestion of Stanton, who described the scene as “one of the most interesting and appropriate occasions” for a sculpture. It was later praised by Lincoln’s son Robert Todd Lincoln, who considered it to be the most lifelike portrait of his father in sculpture.

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