The Soap at Baton Rouge is connected to Claes Oldenburg's distinguished public art practice. Throughout his career, he has mounted large-scale reproductions of quotidian objects, often pairing them with small maquettes or replicas. In 1972, Cincinnati based art dealer Carl Solway contacted Oldenburg about the possibility for commissioning a public work in Cincinnati to be partially funded by Proctor & Gamble Corporation, headquartered there. Oldenburg found inspiration in a well-known household product from P&G, the “IVORY” embossed bar of white soap that was recognized for its unique property of floating. According to the artist, the floating soap in combination with the location of Cincinnati on the Ohio River gave him the idea for a colossal, boat-like bar of soap. Although never realized in Ohio, the multiple is a characteristic example of Oldenburg’s most celebrated series of public works.