Randolph Rogers

Randolph Rogers was an American Neoclassical sculptor who went from selling dry goods to sculpting for the U.S. Capitol. Born in Waterloo, New York, he was raised in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and initially worked in a bakery and as a clerk. His employers, impressed by his self-taught artistic skills, sponsored his trip to Italy to study sculpture. Living most of his life in Rome, Rogers became a prominent artist, creating major works like the Columbus Doors at the U.S. Capitol and several significant American Civil War monuments. His sculpture *Nydia, the Blind Flower Girl of Pompeii*, was wildly popular, with his studio producing numerous replicas for eager patrons. Rumor has it that Rogers, not being a fan of carving marble himself, employed a team of Italian artisans to do the dusty work while he perfected the art of the dramatic pose in front of a mirror. It's also whispered that his decision to create the Columbus Doors was sealed over a particularly good plate of pasta, a deal sweetened with the promise of a lifetime supply of the finest Italian olive oil. While these tales may be apocryphal, they add a certain flair to the story of a man who went from humble beginnings to being knighted by a king.