Albert Memorial
Model
ca. 1863 (made)
ca. 1863 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Object Type
This is the model for the memorial to Prince Albert, the Prince Consort (1819-1861), in Kensington Gardens, London. Soon after his unexpected death a meeting was held to consider how best to commemorate him. As a result a number of architects were invited to submit designs, and the commission was awarded to Sir George Gilbert Scott (1811-1878). In 1863 more detailed discussions about the design took place, and drawings and models were made. These included this model, which was initially displayed at Buckingham Palace, London, for Queen Victoria's approval. Although there are some changes between this model and the finished monument, in essence it reflects the final form of the memorial, which was erected in 1873. The gilt-bronze figure of the Prince Consort by the sculptors J.H. Foley (1818-1874) and Thomas Brock (1847-1922) was installed in 1875.
People
The model was designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott. He was one of the foremost Victorian architects and best-known exponents of the Gothic Revival. He was particularly productive in the 1850s and 1860s, and his design for the Albert Memorial was much admired at the time. He chose a team of craftsmen to work on it who had collaborated with him on previous projects. These included the sculptors Henry Hugh Armstead (1828-1905), John Birnie Philip (1824-1875) and J.F. Redfern (1838-1876); the stone-carving firm Farmer & Brindley; the ironworker Francis Skidmore (born about 1816, died 1896); and J.R. Clayton (1827-1912) and Antonio Salviati (1816-1890) for the mosaics. The model was made by Farmer & Brindley. Henry Hugh Armstead made the sculptural groups on the model. Scott wrote of these: 'I doubt whether either the central figure or a single group, as executed, is superior to the miniature models furnished by Mr Armstead.'
Ownership & Use
The model was used during discussions in 1863 about the design of the memorial. It was later displayed at the 1867 Paris International Exhibition. In 1871 it was officially loaned to the South Kensington Museum (later the V&A), and presented to the Museum by Sir George Gilbert Scott in 1873. It was put into storage and not formally registered until 1973, when it was re-discovered by John Physick, then Deputy Director of the Museum.
This is the model for the memorial to Prince Albert, the Prince Consort (1819-1861), in Kensington Gardens, London. Soon after his unexpected death a meeting was held to consider how best to commemorate him. As a result a number of architects were invited to submit designs, and the commission was awarded to Sir George Gilbert Scott (1811-1878). In 1863 more detailed discussions about the design took place, and drawings and models were made. These included this model, which was initially displayed at Buckingham Palace, London, for Queen Victoria's approval. Although there are some changes between this model and the finished monument, in essence it reflects the final form of the memorial, which was erected in 1873. The gilt-bronze figure of the Prince Consort by the sculptors J.H. Foley (1818-1874) and Thomas Brock (1847-1922) was installed in 1875.
People
The model was designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott. He was one of the foremost Victorian architects and best-known exponents of the Gothic Revival. He was particularly productive in the 1850s and 1860s, and his design for the Albert Memorial was much admired at the time. He chose a team of craftsmen to work on it who had collaborated with him on previous projects. These included the sculptors Henry Hugh Armstead (1828-1905), John Birnie Philip (1824-1875) and J.F. Redfern (1838-1876); the stone-carving firm Farmer & Brindley; the ironworker Francis Skidmore (born about 1816, died 1896); and J.R. Clayton (1827-1912) and Antonio Salviati (1816-1890) for the mosaics. The model was made by Farmer & Brindley. Henry Hugh Armstead made the sculptural groups on the model. Scott wrote of these: 'I doubt whether either the central figure or a single group, as executed, is superior to the miniature models furnished by Mr Armstead.'
Ownership & Use
The model was used during discussions in 1863 about the design of the memorial. It was later displayed at the 1867 Paris International Exhibition. In 1871 it was officially loaned to the South Kensington Museum (later the V&A), and presented to the Museum by Sir George Gilbert Scott in 1873. It was put into storage and not formally registered until 1973, when it was re-discovered by John Physick, then Deputy Director of the Museum.
Object details
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| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 9 parts.
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| Materials and techniques | Plaster, coloured, gilded and polished on a metal armature |
| Brief description | Sketch model, plaster coloured, gilded and polished, on metal armature, for the Albert Memorial, designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott, made by Farmer and Brindley, sculpture modelled by H.H. Armstead, paper mosaics by Antonio Salviati, England, ca. 1863 |
| Physical description | The model consists of a seated figure of Prince Albert beneath an elaborate canopy above there is a fleche, decorated with emblematic figures of angels, the whole surmounted by a cross. The statue of is placed upon a raised base, the sides of which are decorated with friezes representing painters, poets, authors and architects. At the corners of the base are four groups representing the industrial arts. Four more groups representing the Continents are placed a little distance away from the podium. The model is made from individually cast plaster pieces, which are supported by a metal framework. It is decorated using various techniques to simulate the range of materials used in the finished memorial. Mosaic are represented by gilded and painted pieces of paper, glued to the pediments beneath the canopy. The column shafts, the bases to the four large sculpture groups, the model floor and the steps are decorated with a scagliola-like technique to simulate granite. Other parts, including the friezes around the base, were painted with a thick greyish white paint imitative of stone. A layer of metallic bronze paint was discovered beneath this greyish white paint on all of the sculpted groups (but not the friezes). This suggests that large sculptural groups on the memorial were originally intended to be cast in bronze rather than carved in stone. The figure of Prince Albert is gilded. Signed and inscribed. |
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| Credit line | Given by Sir George Gilbert Scott |
| Object history | The model was displayed at Buckingham Palace so that it could be referred to during discussions about the design of the memorial. The model was later displayed in the 1867 Paris Exhibition. On its return it was deposited at the South Kensington Museum. It was officially loaned to the museum in 1871, through the sculptor Matthew Noble, and finally presented to the museum by George Gilbert Scott in 1873, although it was not formally Registered in the museum's records at that time. The model remained in store for many years and was eventually forgotten. During the 1960s John Physick, a former curator, was alerted to the possibility that the model might still be in the museum, when he found a wood-engraved illustration, in a nineteenth century weekly journal, which showed the Albert Memorial Model displayed in the museum's North Court. Some years later the model was discovered in one of the stores. It was then accessioned, restored and exhibited in the 'Marble Halls' exhibition held at the V&A in 1973. Historical significance: Scott considored the small-scale sculpted groups made by Armstead for the model to be at least as successful as the sculpture of the actual memorial. He later wrote in his memoirs, 'Without derogating from the merits of the sculpture as eventually carried out, it is but just to say that I doubt whether either the central figure or a single group, as executed, is superior to the miniature models furnished by Mr Armstead. They remain to speak for themselves; while the two sides of the podium and the four bronzes, which he designed, give a fair idea of what his models would have proved if carried out to the real size. I mention this in justice both to him and and to myself, as his small models were the carrying out of my original intention, and have in idea been the foundation of the result'. The model was made by Farmer and Brindley of Westminster Bridge Road, London, a large firm who supplied marble and various types of architectural decoration to many architects. The sculptural decoration was modelled by Henry Hugh Armstead and the paper mosaics were added by Salvaiti & C. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Association | |
| Summary | Object Type This is the model for the memorial to Prince Albert, the Prince Consort (1819-1861), in Kensington Gardens, London. Soon after his unexpected death a meeting was held to consider how best to commemorate him. As a result a number of architects were invited to submit designs, and the commission was awarded to Sir George Gilbert Scott (1811-1878). In 1863 more detailed discussions about the design took place, and drawings and models were made. These included this model, which was initially displayed at Buckingham Palace, London, for Queen Victoria's approval. Although there are some changes between this model and the finished monument, in essence it reflects the final form of the memorial, which was erected in 1873. The gilt-bronze figure of the Prince Consort by the sculptors J.H. Foley (1818-1874) and Thomas Brock (1847-1922) was installed in 1875. People The model was designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott. He was one of the foremost Victorian architects and best-known exponents of the Gothic Revival. He was particularly productive in the 1850s and 1860s, and his design for the Albert Memorial was much admired at the time. He chose a team of craftsmen to work on it who had collaborated with him on previous projects. These included the sculptors Henry Hugh Armstead (1828-1905), John Birnie Philip (1824-1875) and J.F. Redfern (1838-1876); the stone-carving firm Farmer & Brindley; the ironworker Francis Skidmore (born about 1816, died 1896); and J.R. Clayton (1827-1912) and Antonio Salviati (1816-1890) for the mosaics. The model was made by Farmer & Brindley. Henry Hugh Armstead made the sculptural groups on the model. Scott wrote of these: 'I doubt whether either the central figure or a single group, as executed, is superior to the miniature models furnished by Mr Armstead.' Ownership & Use The model was used during discussions in 1863 about the design of the memorial. It was later displayed at the 1867 Paris International Exhibition. In 1871 it was officially loaned to the South Kensington Museum (later the V&A), and presented to the Museum by Sir George Gilbert Scott in 1873. It was put into storage and not formally registered until 1973, when it was re-discovered by John Physick, then Deputy Director of the Museum. |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | A.13:1 to 9-1973 |
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| Record created | September 16, 1999 |
| Record URL |
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