American, 1924-2000
Rush Hour, 1983 (cast 1985-86) Bronze, 73 x 74 x 67 in. (185.4 x 188 x 170.2 cm.)
Raymond and Patsy Nasher Collection, Dallas, Texas
1986.A.17
Label Text
This sculpture captures a familiar scene from everyday life. Seemingly in the midst of their daily commute, a cluster of six city dwellers move mindlessly and wearily forward. They seem resigned to their routine, numbed by fatigue, and isolated in their own thoughts despite the proximity of their fellow commuters. With this sculpture, the artist offers up both an allegory of the fate of the individual in modern society and a tribute to the sacrifice of the middle class worker. The composition of six figures echoes Rodin's famous sculpture, The Burghers of Calais, a monument to the French noblemen who in 1347 sacrificed themselves to British invaders so that the rest of the town might be spared.