John Locke
Model
1755 (made)
1755 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This is a model for a posthumous marble statue of the philosopher John Locke (1632–1704). The finished version was placed in the library of Christ Church college, Oxford, where Locke had been educated. Although Rysbrack never went to Italy, the pose is inspired by Italian sculpture and painting of the 16th and 17th centuries.
Rysbrack was born in Antwerp, and trained in the Netherlands, but spent his working life in Britain. He was one of the most important sculptors active in this country in the first half of the 18th century, and specialised in portrait busts and funerary monuments. Even though he never visited Italy, many of his works are clearly indebted to classical archetypes. His terracotta models are particularly fine, and are often virtually finished pieces in their own right. This piece may have been sold at the sculptor’s retirement sale, which took place at Langford & Son, in Covent Garden, in January 1766. Related drawings are held in the Art Institute of Chicago.
Rysbrack was born in Antwerp, and trained in the Netherlands, but spent his working life in Britain. He was one of the most important sculptors active in this country in the first half of the 18th century, and specialised in portrait busts and funerary monuments. Even though he never visited Italy, many of his works are clearly indebted to classical archetypes. His terracotta models are particularly fine, and are often virtually finished pieces in their own right. This piece may have been sold at the sculptor’s retirement sale, which took place at Langford & Son, in Covent Garden, in January 1766. Related drawings are held in the Art Institute of Chicago.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Title | John Locke (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Terracotta |
| Brief description | Model, terracotta, statuette of John Locke, by John Michael Rysbrack, English, 1755 |
| Physical description | John Locke is represented standing, wearing a flowing robe and sandals. With his left hand he supports a book that rests on his right thigh. With his right hand he holds his robe. Signed.. |
| Dimensions |
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| Object history | Possibly lot 56 in the second day's sale held on Rysbrack's retirement by Langford & Son, at their House in the Great Piazza, Covent Garden, London, 25 January 1766, under 'Models in Terra Cotta...A figure of Mr. Locke, for Oxford'. Included in the sale of Henry Farrer F.S.A. held at Christie, Manson & Woods, 8 King Street, London, 12 to 18 June 1866. Sold on the second day, 13 June 1866, lot 220, described as 'Statuette of Locke, holding a book', purchased by Mr A. Myers for 10s. Purchased by the Museum from Mr Myers in 1867 for £4 4s. Myers purchased the terracotta model of Shakespeare by Roubiliac from the same sale, which was also acquired by the Museum (V&A Mus. No. 32-1867). |
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | This is a model for a posthumous marble statue of the philosopher John Locke (1632–1704). The finished version was placed in the library of Christ Church college, Oxford, where Locke had been educated. Although Rysbrack never went to Italy, the pose is inspired by Italian sculpture and painting of the 16th and 17th centuries. Rysbrack was born in Antwerp, and trained in the Netherlands, but spent his working life in Britain. He was one of the most important sculptors active in this country in the first half of the 18th century, and specialised in portrait busts and funerary monuments. Even though he never visited Italy, many of his works are clearly indebted to classical archetypes. His terracotta models are particularly fine, and are often virtually finished pieces in their own right. This piece may have been sold at the sculptor’s retirement sale, which took place at Langford & Son, in Covent Garden, in January 1766. Related drawings are held in the Art Institute of Chicago. |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | 33-1867 |
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| Record created | August 14, 2006 |
| Record URL |
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