Cherub head
Model
ca. 1860 - ca. 1870 (made)
ca. 1860 - ca. 1870 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This is a plaster cast representing a Cherub's head, cast from a sketch by Alfred George Stevens (1817-1875) for the architrave of the Wellington Monument, St. Paul's Cathedral, London. This object is painted brown, but is now chipped and portions are missing.
A sculptor, designer and painter, Alfred Stevens (1817/18-1875) rejected contemporary distinctions between fine art and design. From 1850 to 1857 he was chief designer to Hoole & Co., Sheffield, where he produced award-winning designs for metalwork, majolica, terracotta ornaments and chimney-pieces.
Perhaps his two greatest works were the decorations for the dining-room at Dorchester House, London (about 1856), for which he made countless drawings inspired by the Italian High Renaissance style, in particular the work of Michelangelo and the monument to the Duke of Wellington for St Paul's Cathedral, London, which was completed after his death. The two allegorical groups from this monument made a lasting impact on the New Sculpture movement. The influence of the Italian Renaissance is evident in much of Steven's work, and is perhaps best reflected in the Wellington monument. Although Stevens came equal fifth in the competition for the Wellington monument, the winner being the Scots sculptor William Calder Marshall (1813-1894), he was eventually given the commission as his design was felt to be more in keeping with the interior of St Paul's.
A sculptor, designer and painter, Alfred Stevens (1817/18-1875) rejected contemporary distinctions between fine art and design. From 1850 to 1857 he was chief designer to Hoole & Co., Sheffield, where he produced award-winning designs for metalwork, majolica, terracotta ornaments and chimney-pieces.
Perhaps his two greatest works were the decorations for the dining-room at Dorchester House, London (about 1856), for which he made countless drawings inspired by the Italian High Renaissance style, in particular the work of Michelangelo and the monument to the Duke of Wellington for St Paul's Cathedral, London, which was completed after his death. The two allegorical groups from this monument made a lasting impact on the New Sculpture movement. The influence of the Italian Renaissance is evident in much of Steven's work, and is perhaps best reflected in the Wellington monument. Although Stevens came equal fifth in the competition for the Wellington monument, the winner being the Scots sculptor William Calder Marshall (1813-1894), he was eventually given the commission as his design was felt to be more in keeping with the interior of St Paul's.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Cherub head (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Plaster cast |
| Brief description | Model, plaster cast, Cherub head, by Alfred Stevens, England, ca. 1860-1870 |
| Physical description | Plaster cast in high relief, representing a Cherub's head with the wings closed. Chipped and portions missing. Painted brown. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Object history | Given by Messrs. Omar Ramsden and Alwyn C.E. Carr, St Dunstan's Studio, Seymour Place, Fulham Road, London, in 1913. Ramsden and Carr were silversmiths, active until 1918. They studied in Sheffield and at the Royal College of Art. |
| Production | Cast from a sketch model by Alfred George Stevens (1817-1875) |
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | This is a plaster cast representing a Cherub's head, cast from a sketch by Alfred George Stevens (1817-1875) for the architrave of the Wellington Monument, St. Paul's Cathedral, London. This object is painted brown, but is now chipped and portions are missing. A sculptor, designer and painter, Alfred Stevens (1817/18-1875) rejected contemporary distinctions between fine art and design. From 1850 to 1857 he was chief designer to Hoole & Co., Sheffield, where he produced award-winning designs for metalwork, majolica, terracotta ornaments and chimney-pieces. Perhaps his two greatest works were the decorations for the dining-room at Dorchester House, London (about 1856), for which he made countless drawings inspired by the Italian High Renaissance style, in particular the work of Michelangelo and the monument to the Duke of Wellington for St Paul's Cathedral, London, which was completed after his death. The two allegorical groups from this monument made a lasting impact on the New Sculpture movement. The influence of the Italian Renaissance is evident in much of Steven's work, and is perhaps best reflected in the Wellington monument. Although Stevens came equal fifth in the competition for the Wellington monument, the winner being the Scots sculptor William Calder Marshall (1813-1894), he was eventually given the commission as his design was felt to be more in keeping with the interior of St Paul's. |
| Bibliographic reference | Bilbey, Diane and Trusted Marjorie. British Sculpture 1470 to 2000. A Concise Catalogue of the Collection at the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, 2002, p. 380, cat. no, 588 |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | A.3-1913 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | January 22, 2009 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
