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Lorenzo Ganganelli, Pope Clement XIV (1769-1774)

Bust
1773 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This bust of Pope Clement XIV was commissioned in Rome by the British collector Thomas Mansel Talbot (1747-1813) who also commissioned to the artist, at the same time, a portrait bust of himself (Museum no. A.41-1953).

Pope Clement XIV (Lorenzo Ganganelli; 1705-1774) had a particularly friendly relationship with the British in Rome and was liked for his bonhomie, his refusal to recognise the exiled Stuarts as the rightful kings of England, and his strong action against the Jesuits. The Irish born sculptor Christopher Hewetson, active in Rome from 1765, made a first portrait of the Pope in 1771 which soon became very popular among British visitors. Other versions were then produced, including this one in 1773 for Talbot.

Four other versions in marble are known: one, dated 1771 is at Beningbrough Hall, York. A second one, dated 1772, executed for Lord Hylton at Ammerdown was purchased by the National Gallery of Scotland (NG 2525) in 1990. A third, signed and also dated 1772 is at Gorehambury, Hertfordshire. The fourth marble is at Yale Center for British Art, New Haven (B1977.14.14). Finally, a plaster version, previsously ascribed arroneously to Antonio Canova is at Bassano del Grappa, Museo Civico.

Christopher Hewetson (1737/38-1798) was born in Kilkenny, Ireland and worked in Dublin before moving to Rome in 1765, where he remained for the rest of his life. He specialised in portrait busts of British visitors on the Grand Tour and established himself as one of the prominent British sculptors working in Rome at that time.

Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleLorenzo Ganganelli, Pope Clement XIV (1769-1774) (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Brief description
Bust, marble, Pope Clement XIV, by Christopher Hewetson, Irish (carved in Rome), signed and dated 1773
Physical description
Marble bust of Pope Clement XIV wearing a skull-cap and a cape tied in front with a knotted cord, is shown looking slightly to his right.
Dimensions
  • Height: 75cm (Note: incl. socle)
Marks and inscriptions
  • Signed and dated on the side left truncation: 'Christo.s Hewetson Fec.t Romae 1773'
  • Inscribed on the truncation at the back: 'CLEMENS XIV PONT MAX'
Gallery label
(2021)
Christopher Hewetson (1737/38–98)
Bust of Pope Clement XIV (1705–74)
Signed and dated 1773

British visitors in Rome particularly liked Pope Clement XIV for his friendliness and his refusal to recognise the exiled Stuarts (the former royal family) as the rightful kings of England. This bust is one of six known versions carved by Hewetson, an Irish sculptor based in Rome. It was commissioned by Thomas Mansel Talbot, whose own portrait bust is nearby.

Rome
Marble
Object history
Commissioned by Thomas Mansel Talbot (1747-1813) to the sculptor in 1773. By descent with the Talbot collection to Emily Charlotte Talbot (1840-1918). Purchased by Edward O'Sullivan on 29 October 1941 at the Margham Castle sale, Trustees of the late Miss Emily Charlotte Talbot, Christie's, lot 461. Purchased by the Museum in 1948 for £35.

Subject depicted
Summary
This bust of Pope Clement XIV was commissioned in Rome by the British collector Thomas Mansel Talbot (1747-1813) who also commissioned to the artist, at the same time, a portrait bust of himself (Museum no. A.41-1953).

Pope Clement XIV (Lorenzo Ganganelli; 1705-1774) had a particularly friendly relationship with the British in Rome and was liked for his bonhomie, his refusal to recognise the exiled Stuarts as the rightful kings of England, and his strong action against the Jesuits. The Irish born sculptor Christopher Hewetson, active in Rome from 1765, made a first portrait of the Pope in 1771 which soon became very popular among British visitors. Other versions were then produced, including this one in 1773 for Talbot.

Four other versions in marble are known: one, dated 1771 is at Beningbrough Hall, York. A second one, dated 1772, executed for Lord Hylton at Ammerdown was purchased by the National Gallery of Scotland (NG 2525) in 1990. A third, signed and also dated 1772 is at Gorehambury, Hertfordshire. The fourth marble is at Yale Center for British Art, New Haven (B1977.14.14). Finally, a plaster version, previsously ascribed arroneously to Antonio Canova is at Bassano del Grappa, Museo Civico.

Christopher Hewetson (1737/38-1798) was born in Kilkenny, Ireland and worked in Dublin before moving to Rome in 1765, where he remained for the rest of his life. He specialised in portrait busts of British visitors on the Grand Tour and established himself as one of the prominent British sculptors working in Rome at that time.
Bibliographic references
  • Bilbey, Diane and Trusted, Marjorie, British Sculpture 1470-2000: A Concise Catalogue of the Collection at the Victoria and Albert Museum. London: V&A Publications, 2002 pp. 90-91. cat. no. 123.
  • Cf. Bowron, E. P., Rishel, J. J. eds. Art in Rome in the eighteenth century. Philadelphia, 2000. p. 255. cat. no. 130 (Edinburgh version)
  • Ingamells, John, ed. A Dictionary of British and Irish travellers in Italy 1701-1800. New Haven, 1997, pp. 923-924.
  • Clifford, T. et. al. The Three Graces Antonio Canova. Catalogue of the exhibition held in National Gallery of Scotland. Edinburgh, 1995. p. 11.
  • de Breffny, B. 'Christopher Hewtson', Irish Arts Review. IV. part 3. 1986. p. 55. no. 4d.
  • Cf. Jackson-Stops, G., ed. The treasure houses of Britain. Catalogue of the exhibition held at the National Gallery of Art, Washington. New Haven, 1985, p. 270, cat. no. 190 (Beningbrough Hall version)
  • Cf. Pavanello, G. L'Opera Completa del Canova. Milan, 1976. p. 135. no. 378 (Plaster version at Bassano del Grappa, Museo Civico)
  • Whinney, Margaret, English Sculpture 1720-1830. London: H. M. Stationery Off., 1971 p. 110.
  • Cheke, M. The Cardinal de Bernis. 1958. p. 243.
  • Hodgkinson, Terence. 'Christopher Hewetwon, an Irish sculptor in Rome', The Walpole Society. 34, 1952, pp. 42-54.
  • Molesworth, H. D. Sculpture in England. Renaissance to early XIX century. London; NY; Toronto, 1951. p. 16. pl. XXXIX.
Collection
Accession number
A.22-1948

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Record createdAugust 14, 2006
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