Oberon and Titania
Statue
1866 (made)
1866 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
The subject of this group is taken from Shakespeare's 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', when Oberon squeezes the juice of a flower on Titania's eyes making her fall instantly in love with whatever she sees when she wakes up.
At least one other version of this group seems to have been executed by the sculptor, Benjamin Edward Spence, the son of the sculptor William Spence who went to Rome in 1846 and lived there for the rest of his life. He was a pupil and assistant to R.J Wyatt and was also taught by John Gibson.
Benjamin Evans Spence (Liverpool 1822- Rome 1866) was the son of the sculptor William Spence (1793-1849). It was formerly thought that Spence's middle name was Edward, but Timothy Stevens has ascertained that it is Evans. Spence was a sculptor and attended the Liverpool Academy Schools in 1838. In 1846 he travelled to Rome, initially to work in the Studio of John Gibson, later that of Richard James Wyatt (1795-1850). On the death of Wyatt, Spence completed all his unfinished works and took over the studio. He remained in Rome all the rest of his life, just to travel to England about once a year to the Royal Academy exhibitions. He set up his independent studio in 1848 in the Via degli Incurabili in Rome.
At least one other version of this group seems to have been executed by the sculptor, Benjamin Edward Spence, the son of the sculptor William Spence who went to Rome in 1846 and lived there for the rest of his life. He was a pupil and assistant to R.J Wyatt and was also taught by John Gibson.
Benjamin Evans Spence (Liverpool 1822- Rome 1866) was the son of the sculptor William Spence (1793-1849). It was formerly thought that Spence's middle name was Edward, but Timothy Stevens has ascertained that it is Evans. Spence was a sculptor and attended the Liverpool Academy Schools in 1838. In 1846 he travelled to Rome, initially to work in the Studio of John Gibson, later that of Richard James Wyatt (1795-1850). On the death of Wyatt, Spence completed all his unfinished works and took over the studio. He remained in Rome all the rest of his life, just to travel to England about once a year to the Royal Academy exhibitions. He set up his independent studio in 1848 in the Via degli Incurabili in Rome.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Oberon and Titania (assigned by artist) |
| Materials and techniques | Marble |
| Brief description | Group, marble, 'Oberon & Titania' from a Midsummer Night's Dream, by Benjamin Evans Spence', England, probably made in Rome, 1866 |
| Physical description | Sculpture group of Oberon, holding a staff, standing over a sleeping Titania reclining against a tree stump. He squeezes the juice of a flower into her eyes. On an oblong base with rounded corners. Inscribed. The staff was formerly supported in three places by projecting spurs of marble but the central support is missing, where a fracture has occurred. The wings of Oberon are carved separately and dowelled. According to the vendor, the group had been out of doors for about ten years. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Marks and inscriptions | 'B.E. SPENCE / Ft ROMAE. 1866.' (on the side of the base) |
| Object history | In the possession of Mrs Ruby Gibbs by 1968 (information supplied by Timothy Stephens). Purchased from Mrs A. Gibbs (probably identical with Mrs Ruby Gibbs), Lingarden, Wilderton Road, Branksome Park, Poole in 1969 for £200 under the bequest of Dr W.L. Hildburgh F.S.A. |
| Historical context | Spence, who was born in Liverpool, the son of the sculptor William Spence (a friend of John Gibson), went to Rome in 1846 and lived there for the rest of his live. He was a pupil and assistant to R.J. Wyatt and was taught also by Gibson. At Wyatt's death Spence took over his studio and completed his unfinished works. He contributed regularly to the Royal Academy. On June 4th 1870, Christie held a sale in London of works from Spence' studio in Rome. Lot 166, among the Life-sized Statues, is 'Oberon and Titania- a fine large group' (200 guineas). Other works are characterised as 'Second-size statues' and 'Third-size statues' and it must be assumed that A.214-1969, which is below life-size, was not the version in the sale in 1870. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | The subject of this group is taken from Shakespeare's 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', when Oberon squeezes the juice of a flower on Titania's eyes making her fall instantly in love with whatever she sees when she wakes up. At least one other version of this group seems to have been executed by the sculptor, Benjamin Edward Spence, the son of the sculptor William Spence who went to Rome in 1846 and lived there for the rest of his life. He was a pupil and assistant to R.J Wyatt and was also taught by John Gibson. Benjamin Evans Spence (Liverpool 1822- Rome 1866) was the son of the sculptor William Spence (1793-1849). It was formerly thought that Spence's middle name was Edward, but Timothy Stevens has ascertained that it is Evans. Spence was a sculptor and attended the Liverpool Academy Schools in 1838. In 1846 he travelled to Rome, initially to work in the Studio of John Gibson, later that of Richard James Wyatt (1795-1850). On the death of Wyatt, Spence completed all his unfinished works and took over the studio. He remained in Rome all the rest of his life, just to travel to England about once a year to the Royal Academy exhibitions. He set up his independent studio in 1848 in the Via degli Incurabili in Rome. |
| Bibliographic references |
|
| Collection | |
| Accession number | A.214-1969 |
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 | June 19, 2002 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
