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Photograph - Figure of Faith
  • Figure of Faith
    Redfern, James, born 1837 - died 1876
  • Enlarge image

Figure of Faith

  • Object:

    Photograph

  • Place of origin:

    Coventry (made)

  • Date:

    1867 (made)

  • Artist/Maker:

    Redfern, James, born 1837 - died 1876 (designer)

  • Materials and Techniques:

    Albumen print on paper mounted on card

  • Credit Line:

    Purchased with the assistance of the Friends of the National Libraries

  • Museum number:

    E.401-2006

  • Gallery location:

    Prints & Drawings Study Room, level C, case M, shelf 80

Albumen print of a plaster figure by the sculptor, James Redfern,(1837-1876), who designed the figures of the Virtues, of which this is the figure of Faith, in about 1865 to 1867, for the flèche of George Gilbert Scott's design of the Albert Memorial. The plaster figures were electroformed in copper by the firm of Francis Skidmore (1817-1896) known as Skidmore's Art Manufactures and Constructive Iron Company at Alma Street, Coventry. Then the figures were gilded in situ once mounted on the spire. The Albert Memorial, Hyde Park, London, was completed in 1874, to commemorate Prince Albert. This albumen print functions as a record for Skidmore's firm.

Physical description

Photograph of a plaster, crowned figure holding aloft a cross and a chalice in the other hand.

Place of Origin

Coventry (made)

Date

1867 (made)

Artist/maker

Redfern, James, born 1837 - died 1876 (designer)

Materials and Techniques

Albumen print on paper mounted on card

Dimensions

Height: 29.7 cm including card support, Width: 14.7 cm including card support

Object history note

By descent from Francis Skidmore

Descriptive line

Albumen print of the plaster model of the figure of Faith, one of the Virtues, for the Albert Memorial by James Redfern.

Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)

Brooks, Chris, ed. The Albert Memorial. New Haven and London: Published for the Paul Mellon Centre for Studies in British Art by Yale University Press, 2000. 281 p., ill.
Read, Benedict and Ward-Jackson, Philip. Courtauld Institute Archives. Archive 4: Late 18th & 19th Century Sculpture in the British Isles. Harvey Miller Publishers in association with The Courtauld Institute of Art, University of London, 1976. 4/1/108 p., ill.

Production Note

James Redfern designed the figures of the Virtues, of which this is one, for the flèche of George Gilbert Scott's design of the Albert Memorial. The plaster figures were electroformed in copper and gilded by Francis Skidmore's firm Skidmore's Art Manufactures and Constructive Iron Company at Alma Street, Coventry.

Attribution note: There is a ruler at the left side by the figure which has the measurements 1-6 that are presumably in feet.

Materials

Albumen; Paper; Card

Techniques

Photography

Categories

Photographs; Sculpture

Collection

Prints, Drawings & Paintings Collection

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