Object Record
Images
Metadata
Catalog Number |
1987.1.06 |
Collection |
American Art |
Object Name |
Sculpture |
Title |
Retreat We Now Together |
Artist |
Agnes Yarnall |
Date |
1961 |
Year Range from |
1961 |
Signed Name |
Yarnall |
Signature Location |
on plinth |
Description |
A solder sits astride an undersized horse with the soldier's feet almost touching the ground. The horse's head is bowed. |
Medium |
bronze to rear |
Dimensions |
H-16.5 W-12 L-9 inches |
Notes |
Agnes Yarnall (b. 1904) sculpted a group of 42, Civil War related sculptures, including a bronze head of Abraham Lincoln (2004.60.1). The book, "An Attempted Evocation of the Civil War," was written by Agnes Yarnall in 1980 with photographs of her sculptures and accompanying poems. In the curatorial file is a transcribed oral history of the artist from 1988. Poem accompanying photograph of sculpture in Agnes Yarnall's "An Attempted Evocation of the Civil War," (1980), p. 13-15: "The bugle sounded full retreat— We turned before the tide Sweeping us back across the ground For which so many died! Back through remembered meadows, And back across the wood, And there I found a pony Shivering where he stood— He was a barnyard pony, Perhaps he ran away When gunfire came crashing Across his simple day— I swung my leg across his back, He neither jumped nor ran— He was a barnyard pony Used to the ways of man— My tears fell on his furry neck, My hands met in his mane, My bursting heart slowed in its beat, My legs gave up their pain— He seemed to sense direction Lay eastward to the rear— I like to think the human Had eased him of his fear— So on we went together, My feet all dangle-down— His mane all washed in moonlight That carved against the brown— A dream that turned to nightmare, A nightmare turned to dream, For there was our encampment Across a sparkling stream! We splashed across the silver, And moonlit through my mind A tide of pain swept over For others left behind I rolled from off my pony, I hugged his shaggy head— And "But for thee, great fellow," I said, "I would be dead!" "O I will give thee water! And I will see thee fed A bucketful of golden oats— Before I seek my bed— And if, beyond the dayspring, We have another ride— I shall not mind the dying If thou art by my side!" |
Provenance |
Acquired by the Union League in 1987 |
Related Publications |
"An Attempted Evocation of the Civil War" by Agnes Yarnall, 1980, p.12 and 14 |
Legal Status |
Owned by the Union League of Philadelphia |
Search Terms |
"An Attempted Evocation of the Civil War" by Agnes Yarnall |