The Bather
Statuette
1867 (carved)
1867 (carved)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
The Museum purchased this figure direct from the sculptor, Morton Edwards (1834-1917), in 1872. In his Guide to Modelling in Clay and Wax (1879) Edwards commented on the interest in tinted statuary, noting that John Gibson had revived the process of colouring marble, and that 'there seems to have been latterly a much more favourable opinion respecting its employment, for there are many who think very highly of the results obtained by colouring or tinting marble statues both among sculptors and artists. ... The public generally say, "Give us a picture - sculpture is too cold"; and they are in a measure right. What should we say of anyone who esteemed a black and white crayon drawing of a picture more than the picture itself in all its glory of colour?'
Edwards was born in London. In 1879 he published 'A Guide to Modelling in Clay and Wax', in which he described himself as Professor of Modelling, Secretary of the Society of Sculptors 1862; editor of the Fine Arts Magazine and Sculptors' Journal 1863; Secretary of Literary and Artistic Society 1872 and Secretary of the Glyptic Society in 1876. In the preface he noted that he studied under William Behnes [q.v.] from 1852 to 1845, and in Rome under John Gibson [q.v.] in 1859. According to Susan Rich, a descendant of Edwards, he spent 27 years in the United States, and in 1910 was planning to return to London from San Francisco, in order to raise funds to finance his book 'The History of Sculpture from the earliest period to the present time'.
Edwards was born in London. In 1879 he published 'A Guide to Modelling in Clay and Wax', in which he described himself as Professor of Modelling, Secretary of the Society of Sculptors 1862; editor of the Fine Arts Magazine and Sculptors' Journal 1863; Secretary of Literary and Artistic Society 1872 and Secretary of the Glyptic Society in 1876. In the preface he noted that he studied under William Behnes [q.v.] from 1852 to 1845, and in Rome under John Gibson [q.v.] in 1859. According to Susan Rich, a descendant of Edwards, he spent 27 years in the United States, and in 1910 was planning to return to London from San Francisco, in order to raise funds to finance his book 'The History of Sculpture from the earliest period to the present time'.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Title | The Bather (generic title) |
Materials and techniques | Tinted marble |
Brief description | Statuette, tinted marble, the Bather, by Morton Edwards, England, 1867 |
Physical description | Tinted marble statuette of a woman bather. Four fingers on the left hand are missing. |
Dimensions |
|
Object history | Purchased from the sculptor in 1872 for £52 10s. |
Subjects depicted | |
Summary | The Museum purchased this figure direct from the sculptor, Morton Edwards (1834-1917), in 1872. In his Guide to Modelling in Clay and Wax (1879) Edwards commented on the interest in tinted statuary, noting that John Gibson had revived the process of colouring marble, and that 'there seems to have been latterly a much more favourable opinion respecting its employment, for there are many who think very highly of the results obtained by colouring or tinting marble statues both among sculptors and artists. ... The public generally say, "Give us a picture - sculpture is too cold"; and they are in a measure right. What should we say of anyone who esteemed a black and white crayon drawing of a picture more than the picture itself in all its glory of colour?' Edwards was born in London. In 1879 he published 'A Guide to Modelling in Clay and Wax', in which he described himself as Professor of Modelling, Secretary of the Society of Sculptors 1862; editor of the Fine Arts Magazine and Sculptors' Journal 1863; Secretary of Literary and Artistic Society 1872 and Secretary of the Glyptic Society in 1876. In the preface he noted that he studied under William Behnes [q.v.] from 1852 to 1845, and in Rome under John Gibson [q.v.] in 1859. According to Susan Rich, a descendant of Edwards, he spent 27 years in the United States, and in 1910 was planning to return to London from San Francisco, in order to raise funds to finance his book 'The History of Sculpture from the earliest period to the present time'. |
Bibliographic references |
|
Collection | |
Accession number | 372-1872 |
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 | December 10, 2002 |
Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest