Dr Anthony Eddington
- Object:
- Place of origin:
- Date:
- Artist/Maker:
Banks, Thomas (RA) (made)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Museum number:
- Gallery location:
Sculpture, room 22, case P2
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Despite the lively character of the sitter captured by the sculptor, this bust is based on a death mask. Dr Addington (1713-1790) was a distinguished doctor who specialised in the treatment of mental illness. One of his patients was King George III. Addington's son, Henry Addington, who probably commissioned this portrait, later became the British Prime Minister. This is one of the few portrait busts executed by Banks, who normally specialised in funerary monuments and ideal sculpture.
Thomas Banks (1735-1805) was apprenticed to a London mason, but also spent time working alongside the sculptor Peter Scheemakers (1691-1781). He enrolled in the life classes held at the St Martin's Lane Academy, and later at the Royal Academy Schools. In 1772 he became the first sculptor to win the Royal Academy's three-year travelling stipend, and went with his wife to Rome, where he eventually spent seven years. He specialised in ideal works, most of which were executed in Rome for British patrons, although he continued to produce similar work after his return to London. He was made a Royal Academician in 1786. Banks was one of the most original British Neo-classical sculptors, who dedicated his work to the antique spirit rather than to the fashionable classical style alone.. He tried to establish a market for modern gallery sculpture , which was particular for most patrons at the time preferred restored antique marbles, replicas, pastiches, busts and memorials.
Physical description
The subject wears his own hair and a classical tunic laced on his right shoulder and with an embroidered border to his right sleeve. His left shoulder is covered by thicker folds of drapery.
Place of Origin
London, England (made)
Date
1790 (made)
Artist/maker
Banks, Thomas (RA) (made)
Materials and Techniques
Marble
Dimensions
Height: 76 cm, Width: 47 cm, Depth: 20 cm
Object history note
Purchased by David Piper of the National Portrait Gallery on behalf of Mr Piers Raymond at the sale of the possessions of the late Viscount Sidmouth, at Up-Ottery Mabor House, Devon, held by J. Trevor & Sons, 22 July 1954, lot 413, where it was described as, 'A white marble bust of a Gentleman'. Purchased by Dr W.L. Hildburgh F.S.A. from Mr Piers Raymond for £14 10s. Given by Dr Hildburgh to the Museum in 1955 as a New Year gift.
Historical significance: Banks executed a relatively small number of portrait busts; he is mainly known for his monuments and ideal sculpture.
Historical context note
Antony Addington (1713-1790) was a distinguished doctor, and the father of the Speaker of the House, and later Prime Minister, Henry Addington. This bust is based on a death-mask.
Descriptive line
Bust, marble, Dr. Anthony Addington, by Thomas Banks, Britain, 1790
Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)
Whinney, Margaret. English Sculpture : 1720 - 1830 / Victoria and Albert Museum, London, London : Her Majesty's Stationery Office, 1971, p. 132
Sturgis, Alexander. Presence. The Art of Portrait Sculpture, exhibition catalogue for exhibition held at the Holburne Museum, published by the Art Collector’s Club Ltd, Old Martlesham Woodbridge, Suffolk, UK, 2012, cat.no. 21, p. 36, illus. p. 38
Exhibition History
Presence: the art of portrait sculpture (The Holburne Museum of Art 26/05/2012-02/09/2012)
Thomas Banks 1735-1805 (Sir John Soane's Museum 21/01/2005-09/04/2005)
Citizens and Kings (Royal Academy of Arts 03/02/2007-20/04/2007)
Portraits Publique - Portraits Privés (Grand Palais 02/10/2006-09/01/2007)
Materials
Marble
Subjects depicted
Bust; Addington, Anthony (Dr)
Categories
Portraits; Sculpture
Collection code
SCP
