William Stuart, Archbishop of Armagh thumbnail 1
Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
Sculpture, Room 22, The Dorothy and Michael Hintze Galleries

William Stuart, Archbishop of Armagh

Bust
1828 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This bust represents William Stuart, Archbishop of Armagh (1755-1822) and was made after the sitter's death by Francis Legatt Chantrey in 1828 in England.
The bust is a good example of Chantrey's variant of the classicising formula. The drapery is arranged in straight falling folds, and so gives a hint of a contemporary cloak. The bare throat remains true to classical conventions.
Sir Francis Legatt Chantrey (1781-1842) was an English sculptor, painter, and patron. He was probably the most successful portrait sculptor of his day. Together with Flaxman Chantrey can be ranked as England's greatest sculptor engaging in portrait busts and statues. He was particularly skilled in carving drapery. On his death he left a fortune of £150,000 which was later bequeathed to the Royal Academy to be used for the 'Encouragement of British Fine Art in Painting and Sculpture'.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleWilliam Stuart, Archbishop of Armagh (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Marble
Brief description
Bust, marble, of William Stuart, Archbishop of Armagh, by Sir Francis Legatt Chantrey, English, 1828
Physical description
The subject looks to his half right. His shoulders and chest are enveloped in a cloak; his throat is bare. Signed and dated on the back.
Dimensions
  • Height: 71.6cm (including pedestal)
Marks and inscriptions
'CHANTREY.S.C. / 1828' (on the back)
Gallery label
Sir Francis Chantrey (1781–1841) Bust of William Stuart, Archbishop of Armagh (1755–1822) Signed and dated 1828 William Stuart’s son commissioned this bust after his father’s death. It is a good example of Chantrey’s skill in carving drapery. The bust is classically influenced, with Stuart’s clothing recalling an antique toga, but Chantry arranged the drapery in straight falling folds, giving a hint of a contemporary cloak. The bare throat remains true to classical conventions. London Marble, with the original pedestal(2021)
Object history
With Robert Tunstill, presumably of Old Manor House, Bradford-on-Avon, from whom a bust of George IV by Samuel Joseph was also purchased by the Museum in 1956. Presumably sold to John Teed, and subsequently purchased from John Teed, 17 Silver Street, Bradford-on-Avon, in 1956 for £75. According to the vendor this bust was 'sold as Melbourne at the Culham House sale in 1938'.
Subjects depicted
Summary
This bust represents William Stuart, Archbishop of Armagh (1755-1822) and was made after the sitter's death by Francis Legatt Chantrey in 1828 in England.
The bust is a good example of Chantrey's variant of the classicising formula. The drapery is arranged in straight falling folds, and so gives a hint of a contemporary cloak. The bare throat remains true to classical conventions.
Sir Francis Legatt Chantrey (1781-1842) was an English sculptor, painter, and patron. He was probably the most successful portrait sculptor of his day. Together with Flaxman Chantrey can be ranked as England's greatest sculptor engaging in portrait busts and statues. He was particularly skilled in carving drapery. On his death he left a fortune of £150,000 which was later bequeathed to the Royal Academy to be used for the 'Encouragement of British Fine Art in Painting and Sculpture'.
Bibliographic references
  • Bilbey, Diane and Trusted, Marjorie. British Sculpture 1470-2000. A Concise Catalogue of the Collection at the Victoria and Albert Museum. London: Victoria and Albert Museum, 2002, p. 237, cat.no. 360
  • Kilmurray, E, Dictionary of British Portraiture, Later Georgian and Early Victorians- historical figures born between 1700 and 1800, London, II, 1979, p. 202
  • Whinney, Margaret. English Sculpture : 1720 - 1830 / Victoria and Albert Museum, London, London : Her Majesty's Stationery Office, 1971, p. 150, cat.no. 49, illus. p. 151
Collection
Accession number
A.137-1956

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Record createdJune 24, 2009
Record URL
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