Not currently on display at the V&A

William Dyce

Roundel
ca. 1840 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This is a roundel and model for the reverse of the Art Union Laudatory Medal depicting a detail of the painting 'The Good Shepherd' of William Dyce, and is made by George Gammon Adams.

William Dyce (1806-64) was educated at Marischal College, Aberdeen and took an MA degree at the age of sixteen. In 1825 he went to Rome where he studied pre-Raphaelite art and originated that school of painting in England with his 'Madonna and Child' in 1828. He was elected F.R.S of Edinburgh, 1832 and Professor of Fine Arts, Kings College London in 1844 where he delivered, and subsequently published a lecture on the 'Theory of the Fine Arts'. He became a Royal Academician in 1848.

George Gammon Adams (b. 1821-1898) was a portrait sculptor and medallist. He designed and exhibited prize medals for the Great Exhibition. In 1852 he was chosen to model the death mask of Wellington. One of his public monuments is the 'Napier' statue in Trafalgar square.

The roundel was among the items given to the Museum by I. D. Adams, the daughter of George Gammon Adams, in 1980. In total, 196 items were included in the Adams gift, which consisted of many models for medals as well as the busts and figurative sculpture. In most instances it is not possible to date conclusively the many models included in this gift.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleWilliam Dyce (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Red wax
Brief description
Roundel, model for a medal, red wax, Art Union Laudatory Medal, detail of painting 'The Good Shepherd' by Dyce, by George Gammon Adams, English, 1867
Physical description
Detail from Dyce's painting 'The Good Shpeherd'. Christ leading two sheep and carrying a lamb. Inscribed and signed.
Dimensions
  • Diameter: 5.5cm
Credit line
Given by Miss I.D. Adams
Object history
Given by Miss I.D. Adams, daughter of George Gammon Adams in 1980.
Subjects depicted
Summary
This is a roundel and model for the reverse of the Art Union Laudatory Medal depicting a detail of the painting 'The Good Shepherd' of William Dyce, and is made by George Gammon Adams.

William Dyce (1806-64) was educated at Marischal College, Aberdeen and took an MA degree at the age of sixteen. In 1825 he went to Rome where he studied pre-Raphaelite art and originated that school of painting in England with his 'Madonna and Child' in 1828. He was elected F.R.S of Edinburgh, 1832 and Professor of Fine Arts, Kings College London in 1844 where he delivered, and subsequently published a lecture on the 'Theory of the Fine Arts'. He became a Royal Academician in 1848.

George Gammon Adams (b. 1821-1898) was a portrait sculptor and medallist. He designed and exhibited prize medals for the Great Exhibition. In 1852 he was chosen to model the death mask of Wellington. One of his public monuments is the 'Napier' statue in Trafalgar square.

The roundel was among the items given to the Museum by I. D. Adams, the daughter of George Gammon Adams, in 1980. In total, 196 items were included in the Adams gift, which consisted of many models for medals as well as the busts and figurative sculpture. In most instances it is not possible to date conclusively the many models included in this gift.
Bibliographic references
  • Forrer, L. Biographical Dictionary of Medallists, I, London, 1904, p. 24
  • Brown, Lawrence. British Historical Medals 1837-1901 - Vol II, The Reign of Queen Victoria. London: 1987, cat.no. 2873
  • Beaulah, G.K., 'The Medals of the Art Union of London', The British Numismatic Journal, Vol XXXVI, 1967, p. 184, no. 17
Collection
Accession number
A.174-1980

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Record createdJune 24, 2009
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