Daniel
Architectural Model
ca.1862 (made)
ca.1862 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This is a model for a spandrel proposed by Stevens for the mosaic decoration between the arches of St. Paul's Cathedral, London. The design was partly executed in mosaic but never completed. Armstrong, a contemporary critic considered the design for Daniel as being the 'most vigorous and original of the three.'
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
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Daniel (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Painted and gilt canvas on plaster |
| Brief description | Architectural model, painted and gilt canvas on plaster, for a mosaic decoration for St. Paul's cathedral, by Alfred Stevens, England, ca. 1862 |
| Physical description | Plaster model of a spandrel, with a painting in oil colours and gold, on canvas, representing the prophet Daniel. |
| Dimensions |
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| Object history | Given by F.C Penrose, Esq. M.A. F.R.S., Surveyor to the Fabrick of St. Paul's, The Chapter House, St Paul's Churchyard, in 1897, together with Mus. nos. 1956-1897 and 1956-1897. In July 1897 Penrose wrote that he was leaving his position imminently and was anxious to find a suitable home for these models. |
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | This is a model for a spandrel proposed by Stevens for the mosaic decoration between the arches of St. Paul's Cathedral, London. The design was partly executed in mosaic but never completed. Armstrong, a contemporary critic considered the design for Daniel as being the 'most vigorous and original of the three.' 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 references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | 1957-1897 |
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| Record created | February 23, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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