Photograph of a model for a figure of one of the Virtues by James Redfern for Francis Skidmore, 1867.

Photograph, brown albumen print, of a model of a plaster figure holding a girdle in two lowered hands.

Purchased with the assistance of the Friends of the National Libraries

The provenance is the grand-daughter of Francis Skidmore.

This photograph was taken in the photographic studio at Francis Skidmore's Art Manufactures and Constructive Ironwork Co at Alma, Street, Coventry by an unknown photographer. The photograph shows a model by James Redfern for one of the figures of the Virtues for the base of the flèche of the Albert Memorial. This model was not made into an electroformed figure and erected on the flèche. The figure of Temperance, which is on the fleche, is similar because it holds a ribbon in two hands although only one is lowered.

Attribution note: This photograph is of a small-scale plaster model of the figure which is squared up for transfer to a larger size. The larger plaster model was intended to be electroformed in copper. This was done by making the plaster model electroconductive through the application of a paint that contains metal particles. Elecroforming is a process of metal fabrication using electrodeposition in a plating bath over a base form or mandrel which is subsequently removed. A metal skin is built up on the surface of the plaster model, that has been made electroconductive. Once the metal skin is built up to the desired thickness, the electroformed part is stripped off the base form or mandrel, in this case the plaster model.

This photograph is taken further from the model and is less in focus than the same figure photographed in E.398-2006.

This photograph was taken in the photographic studio at the firm of the art metalworker Francis Skidmore (1817-1896) which was called Skidmore's Art Manufactures and Constructive Ironwork Co and was at Alma, Street, Coventry. The photograph, which was made by the albumen print process, was taken by an unknown photographer in 1867. The photograph shows a model by James Redfern (1837-1876) for one of the figures of the Virtues for the base of the flèche of the Albert Memorial, Hyde Park, London. The photograph has been squared up for transfer to a larger surface so it acts as both a record and a design. It indicates that the model was not full size. This model was not, in fact, made into an electroformed figure and erected onto the flèche. The figure of Temperance which was executed and installed on the flèche is similar. It also holds a girdle in two hands although only one is lowered.

E.399-2006