Mourning figure
Figure
1739 (made)
1739 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This terracotta is a model for an allegorical figure on a monument to Thomas Archer, a leading architect. Archer designed the monument himself, but commissioned the figures from Henry Cheere, who was one of the few native-born sculptors working in England at this period.
Cheere began his career as an apprentice mason, and had set up his own studio near St. Margaret's Westminster by 1726. Later Louis François Roubiliac (1702-1762) worked with him.
Sir Henry Cheere (1703-1781) was one of the most successful sculptors in mid-18th-century Britain, and unlike some of his more eminent sculptor contemporaries, such as John Michael Rysbrack and Louis François Roubiliac, he was a native of this country. He specialised in portrait busts and tomb sculpture, and in the latter was particularly adept in the use of coloured marbles. He also employed a light, and yet at the same time highly-finished, style that was typical of the Rococo.
Cheere began his career as an apprentice mason, and had set up his own studio near St. Margaret's Westminster by 1726. Later Louis François Roubiliac (1702-1762) worked with him.
Sir Henry Cheere (1703-1781) was one of the most successful sculptors in mid-18th-century Britain, and unlike some of his more eminent sculptor contemporaries, such as John Michael Rysbrack and Louis François Roubiliac, he was a native of this country. He specialised in portrait busts and tomb sculpture, and in the latter was particularly adept in the use of coloured marbles. He also employed a light, and yet at the same time highly-finished, style that was typical of the Rococo.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Mourning figure (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Terracotta |
| Brief description | Statuette, terracotta, Mourning figure, by Sir Henry Cheere from a design by Thomas Archer, England, about 1739 |
| Physical description | Statuette, a mourning figure, terracotta. The figure in long flowing drapery stands against the side of a sarcophagus. She is supported on her right leg, the left slightly bent at the knee and the foot drawn away to the right. She looks over her shoulder to the left while with her left hand she grasps the drapery which covers her hair, the elbow is resting on the edge of the sarcophagus. |
| Dimensions |
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| Object history | Given by Dr W.L Hildburgh, F.S.A. Purchased by H.D. Molesworth on behalf of Dr. W.L. Hildburgh F.S.A. from Charlesworth, J.F. da C. Andrade, Works of Art, 8 Avery Row, Brook Street, London on 16 May 1934 for £4, and immediately given by Dr Hildburgh to the Museum. |
| Summary | This terracotta is a model for an allegorical figure on a monument to Thomas Archer, a leading architect. Archer designed the monument himself, but commissioned the figures from Henry Cheere, who was one of the few native-born sculptors working in England at this period. Cheere began his career as an apprentice mason, and had set up his own studio near St. Margaret's Westminster by 1726. Later Louis François Roubiliac (1702-1762) worked with him. Sir Henry Cheere (1703-1781) was one of the most successful sculptors in mid-18th-century Britain, and unlike some of his more eminent sculptor contemporaries, such as John Michael Rysbrack and Louis François Roubiliac, he was a native of this country. He specialised in portrait busts and tomb sculpture, and in the latter was particularly adept in the use of coloured marbles. He also employed a light, and yet at the same time highly-finished, style that was typical of the Rococo. |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | A.11-1934 |
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| Record created | August 14, 2006 |
| Record URL |
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