Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
Sculpture, Room 111, The Gilbert Bayes Gallery

Dr Hugh Chamberlen

Statuette
1728-1730 (made)
Artist/Maker
Scheemakers, Peter (maker)
Place of origin
London (made)

This is one of Scheemaker’s most lively works. He modelled the composition in damp clay, then worked over the surface with fine tools to add crisp detail and to give expression to the face. Dr Chamberlen (1664–1728) was a midwife and famous for his early use of forceps. He is shown in the robes of the Royal College of Physicians. This is a model for a marble monument in Westminster Abbey, London.

Peter Scheemakers (1691-1781) is one of the leading sculptors working in Britain in the mid-18th century, and was renowned for his tombs and portrait busts in particular. His training in the Netherlands would have included the modelling of terracottas.


Object details

Categories
Sculpture
Portraits
Health
Birth
Object type
Statuette
TitleDr Hugh Chamberlen (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Terracotta, modelled clay
Terracotta
Modelled
Brief description
Statuette, terracotta, Dr Hugh Chamberlen, by Peter Scheemakers, England (London), ca. 1728-30
Physical description
The doctor wearing the robes of the Royal College of Physicians reclines to the left, resting on his right elbow. His left hand holds a book upright on his left knee. On a plain oblong base.
Dimensions
  • Height: 29cm
  • Length: 48.9cm (max.length)
  • Depth: 15.5cm (max depth)
  • Depth: 13.9cm (slab depth)
Credit line
Given by Dr W. L. Hildburgh FSA
Object history
Included in the sale of Scheemaker's effects by Mr Langford, at his House in the Great Piazza, Covent Garden. Sold on second day 11 March 1756, lot 18, for £6 16s 6d. Sold at a mixed sale under other properties, held at Sotheby's on 3 December 1926, lot 68. Sold to Belham for £8. Purchased by Dr Hildburgh F.S.A. and given by him to the Museum in 1927.
Subject depicted
Dr Hugh Chamberlen
Summary
This is one of Scheemaker’s most lively works. He modelled the composition in damp clay, then worked over the surface with fine tools to add crisp detail and to give expression to the face. Dr Chamberlen (1664–1728) was a midwife and famous for his early use of forceps. He is shown in the robes of the Royal College of Physicians. This is a model for a marble monument in Westminster Abbey, London.

Peter Scheemakers (1691-1781) is one of the leading sculptors working in Britain in the mid-18th century, and was renowned for his tombs and portrait busts in particular. His training in the Netherlands would have included the modelling of terracottas.
Bibliographic references
  • Bilbey, Diane and Trusted Marjorie, British Sculpture 1470 to 2000. A Concise Catalogue of the Collection at the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, 2002. p. 146, cat. no. 200
  • Avery, C., 'Laurent Delvaux's Sculpture in England', In: National Trust Studies. 1980, p. 159
  • Whinney, M. Sculpture in Britain 1530 to 1830, 2nd ed. London, 1988. p. 452, note. 10
  • Whinney, M., English Sculpture 1720-1830, London, 1971. p. 58
  • Vertue, G., Walpole society. XXVI, 1933-4, Vertue III, p. 53
  • Peter Scheemakers : the famous statuary 1691-1781 no.22
  • Alain Jacobs, Laurent Delvaux : Gand, 1696-Nivelles, 1778, Paris, 1999, p. 242.
Collection
Sculpture Collection
Accession number
A.6-1927

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Record createdApril 12, 2005
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O111027/dr-hugh-chamberlen-statuette-scheemakers-peter/
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