Nicolò Paganini thumbnail 1
Nicolò Paganini thumbnail 2
Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
Sculpture, Room 22, The Dorothy and Michael Hintze Galleries

This object consists of 2 parts, some of which may be located elsewhere.

Nicolò Paganini

Bust
1832 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This marble bust representing Nicolò Paganini - the violin virtuoso (1782-1840) - is made by the sculptor Henry Westmacott, in 1832, in Edinburgh.
Paganini's only visit to England and Scotland took place in the years 1831-2 and this bust probably commemorates this occasion.

Henry Westmacott (1784-1961) was the son of Richard Westmacott the Elder (1747-1808). The Westmacott was a prominent family of eighteenth- and nineteenth-century English sculptors. Henry is particularly known for the prodigious quantity of chimneypieces he produced.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Bust
  • Plinth
TitleNicolò Paganini (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Marble
Brief description
Bust, marble, Nicolò Paganini, by Henry Westmacott, Britain (Edinburgh), 1832
Physical description
Bust placed on tall pedestal. The subject looks slightly to his left. He has long hair and side whiskers which meet under the chin. He wears a cloak open at the neck. Signed and dated at back.
Dimensions
  • Height: 78.74cm (of bust)
  • Of pedestal height: 110.5cm
Marks and inscriptions
'HENRY WESTMACOTT SCULPTOR/EDINBURGH . 1832.' (on the back)
Object history
Probably commissioned by the sculptor by Sir Henry Tate, who was a relative of the Booth family. In the possession of Mr Bromley Booth, then by descent to Mr George E. Booth. Bequeathed to the donor by Mr George E. Booth in 1954. Originally offered by the donor to the Tate Gallery, it was considered a more appropriate acquisition for the Victoria and Albert Museum, a suggestion with which the donor was happy to concur. Given by Mrs. K. Dawson together with the original pedestal, in 1955.
Subjects depicted
Summary
This marble bust representing Nicolò Paganini - the violin virtuoso (1782-1840) - is made by the sculptor Henry Westmacott, in 1832, in Edinburgh.
Paganini's only visit to England and Scotland took place in the years 1831-2 and this bust probably commemorates this occasion.

Henry Westmacott (1784-1961) was the son of Richard Westmacott the Elder (1747-1808). The Westmacott was a prominent family of eighteenth- and nineteenth-century English sculptors. Henry is particularly known for the prodigious quantity of chimneypieces he produced.
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. 428, cat.no. 701
  • Gunnis, R., Dictionary of British Sculptors 1660-1851, (revised edition, first published London 1953), London, 1968, p. 421
  • Graves, A., The Royal Academy of Arts. A Complete Dictionary of Contributors and their work from its foundation in 1769 to 1904, (8 vols), 1905-1906, VIII, p. 235, no. 1188
  • Dawson, F., ‘Paganini in Leeds January 1832’, in: Leeds Thoresby Society Miscellanea, XXXIII, 1935, pp. 457-8, illus. opp. p. 437
  • Royal Academy of Arts Bicentenary Exhibition, 1768-1968, London : Royal Academy of Arts, 1968 234
Collection
Accession number
A.12-1955

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Record createdJune 24, 2009
Record URL
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