Randolph Rogers (American, 1825-1892): A carved white marble figure of 'Ruth gleaning' raised on a contemporary breche violette marble and cream variegated onyx or breche oniciata column pedestal The crouching young woman semi-clad in drapery holding a sheaf of wheat over her left arm, her right hand raised, her face turned to sinister, her wavy hair trailing down her left shoulder, kneeling on a circular naturalistic base, on shallow circular plinth, signed to the front right hand side Randolf Rogers Rome, and with later applied gilt brass presentation tablet inscribed Ruth Gleaning, RANDOLPH ROGERS 1825-1892, 91cm high, 46cm wide, 44cm deep approximately, the column pedestal with moulded circular top above a plain shaft on conforming base, 99cm high, 48m diameter approximately (2) Footnotes: Provenance The Guy Bailey Collection of Victorian Art. Born in Waterloo, New York, and celebrated for his neo-classical sculpture, Rogers moved as a child to Ann Arbor, Michigan. He initially trained as a wood engraver, but struggled to secure steady employment in New York City and subsequently took a position as a clerk. His employers, recognising his artistic aptitude, supported his studies in Florence, where he briefly worked under Lorenzo Bartolini. In 1851, Rogers established a studio in Rome, where he remained based for the rest of his career. Among his earliest significant works is 'Ruth Gleaning' (1853), the subject of the present lot. Inspired by the biblical figure of Ruth gleaning grain in the fields, the work was met with considerable acclaim and was subsequently produced in multiple marble versions, with up to twenty replicas reportedly issued from his studio. As was typical of Rogers' practice, the original model was executed in another medium, with finished marble versions carved by skilled Italian studio assistants under his close supervision. The success of 'Ruth Gleaning' established Rogers' reputation and led to important subsequent commissions, including 'Nydia, the Blind Flower Girl of Pompeii' (1853-54), which achieved even greater popularity. His later career expanded to major public monuments, notably the Columbus Doors for the United States Capitol and a number of Civil War memorials. Rogers became the first American elected to the Accademia di San Luca in 1873 and was later knighted by King Umberto I in 1884. A stroke in 1882 brought his active working life to an end, and he died in 1892. He bequeathed his papers and plaster casts to the University of Michigan. A version of 'Ruth Gleaning' is now in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. This lot is subject to the following lot symbols: * TP * VAT on imported items at a preferential rate of 5% on Hammer Price and the prevailing rate on Buyer's Premium. TP For auctions held in Scotland: Please refer to the catalogue and/or after-sale information or contact Edinburgh@Bonhams.com for more information. For all other auctions: Lots will be moved to an offsite storage location (The Packengers, Unit 9, Abbey Mead Industrial Park, Brooker Road, Waltham Abbey, EN9 1HU, England, UK) and will only be available for collection from this location at the date stated in the catalogue and/or after-sale information, sent out to all buyers post-sale. Please note transfer and storage charges will apply to any lots not collected after 10 calendar days from the auction date. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing