“Why Don’t You Speak for Yourself, John?”

John Rogers, "Why Don't You Speak for Yourself, John?", patented 1885, painted plaster, 21 ³⁄₄ x 17 ¹⁄₂ x 12 ³⁄₄ in. (55.3 x 44.5 x 32.3 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Genevieve Wisel in memory of Dan Wisel, 1975.73

Free to use

Artwork Details

Title: “Why Don’t You Speak for Yourself, John?”
Artist: John Rogers
Date: patented 1885
Location: Not on view
Dimensions: 21 ³⁄₄ x 17 ¹⁄₂ x 12 ³⁄₄ in. (55.3 x 44.5 x 32.3 cm)
Credit Line: Gift of Genevieve Wisel in memory of Dan Wisel
Mediums: plaster
Mediums Description: painted plaster
Classifications: Sculpture
Subjects: Object — other — spinning wheel
Object — furniture — chair
Dress — historic — Puritan dress
Dress — accessory — hat
Occupation — domestic — sewing
Figure group
Object Number: 1975.73
Linked Open Data: https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1975.73

Artwork Description

This group illustrates a line from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s poem The Courtship of Miles Standish. In the poem, Captain Miles Standish asks his friend John Alden to propose to Priscilla on his behalf. John goes to visit Priscilla and does as requested, even though he is in love with her himself. This sculpture shows the moment when Priscilla guesses John’s true feelings and declares, “Why don’t you speak for yourself, John?”