Randolph Rogers (American, 1825–1892)
The Lost Pleiade
INV-0153
Randolph Rogers (American, 1825–1892)1874–75
The Lost Pleiade
Randolph Rogers (American, 1825–1892) →sculptureamerican arts
Date
1874–75
Medium
Marble
Dimensions
H.: 129.5 cm (51 in.)
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Location
Chicago, IL
Credit
Gift of Mrs. E. S. Stickney
In creating this sculpture, Randolph Rogers was inspired by the Roman author Ovid’s poem Fasti, which recounts the legend of the seven sister stars who lived among the constellations. Merope, the youngest sister, married Sisyphus and hid herself in shame because he was mortal. The sculpture depicts the outcast Merope as she seeks her celestial family. With its unclothed torso, The Lost Pleiade is the closest Rogers came to creating a complete nude. Although a conteporary viewers may not have understood the reference to Fasti, the title nonetheless reassured Victorian audiences that this partially nude woman had literary antecedents and was thus not intended as a sensual form.
Also notable
Works in the same vein
Nydia, The Blind Flower Girl of Pompeii
Randolph Rogers (American, 1825–1892)
Sir Hy. Fk. Ponsonby (1825-1892) General; Thomas Hook Pearson (1806-1892) General; Fredrick Markham (1805-1855) General; Taken on the Field, Crimea
Roger Fenton English, 1819–1869
The Raven on the Bust of Pallas ("Perched upon a bust of Pallas..."), from The Raven (Le Corbeau)
Édouard Manet (French, 1832-1883) written by Edgar Allan Poe (American, 1809-1849) translated and produced by Stéphane Mallarmé (French, 1842-1898) printed by Lefman et Cie. (French, 19th century) published by Richard Lesclide (French, 1825-1892)
