Alexander Pope
Bust
18th century (made)
18th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Object Type
This portrait bust of the poet Alexander Pope (1688-1744) is one of several versions associated with Roubiliac, and was probably carved by an assistant in his workshop. Although its early provenance is uncertain, it may once have formed part of a series of busts of great writers and thinkers.
People
Alexander Pope was one of the great satirical poets of his day, but also moved in high society. He was on close terms with many aristocratic patrons and connoisseurs, notably the Palladian architect Richard Boyle, 3rd Earl of Burlington, and Baron Cobham of Stowe in Buckinghamshire. Pope had suffered from chronic ill health since his youth, and Sir Joshua Reynolds remarked that Roubiliac had observed the poet's 'countenance was that of a person who had been much afflicted with headache, and that he should have known the fact from the contracted appearance of the skin beneath his eyebrows, though he had not been otherwise apprised of it'.
Materials & Making
Marble busts were among the most prestigious types of portrait undertaken in Britain during the 18th century. The marble, a relatively expensive material, was imported, usually from Italy via The Netherlands, since there are no marble quarries in this country. The skills needed to carve marble were also commonly learned abroad, where an aspiring artist would probably gain his most important training assisting an established sculptor.
This portrait bust of the poet Alexander Pope (1688-1744) is one of several versions associated with Roubiliac, and was probably carved by an assistant in his workshop. Although its early provenance is uncertain, it may once have formed part of a series of busts of great writers and thinkers.
People
Alexander Pope was one of the great satirical poets of his day, but also moved in high society. He was on close terms with many aristocratic patrons and connoisseurs, notably the Palladian architect Richard Boyle, 3rd Earl of Burlington, and Baron Cobham of Stowe in Buckinghamshire. Pope had suffered from chronic ill health since his youth, and Sir Joshua Reynolds remarked that Roubiliac had observed the poet's 'countenance was that of a person who had been much afflicted with headache, and that he should have known the fact from the contracted appearance of the skin beneath his eyebrows, though he had not been otherwise apprised of it'.
Materials & Making
Marble busts were among the most prestigious types of portrait undertaken in Britain during the 18th century. The marble, a relatively expensive material, was imported, usually from Italy via The Netherlands, since there are no marble quarries in this country. The skills needed to carve marble were also commonly learned abroad, where an aspiring artist would probably gain his most important training assisting an established sculptor.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 2 parts.
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| Title | Alexander Pope (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Marble |
| Brief description | Bust, marble, Alexander Pope, by Louis François Roubiliac, English, from a model of about 1738 |
| Physical description | The subject who is wigless look half left. Shoulders and breast are draped simply. |
| Dimensions |
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| Gallery label |
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| Credit line | Given by Dr W. L. Hildburgh FSA |
| Object history | Originally in the possession of Lady Neave, Dagenham Hall, Dagenham, Essex. Purchased from her by Bert Crowther Esq., Syon Lodge, Busche Corner, Isleworth, Middlesex and subsequently sold to Dr. W.L. Hildburgh F.S.A. Given by Dr Hildburgh to the Museum in 1947. |
| Production | From a model of about 1738 |
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | Object Type This portrait bust of the poet Alexander Pope (1688-1744) is one of several versions associated with Roubiliac, and was probably carved by an assistant in his workshop. Although its early provenance is uncertain, it may once have formed part of a series of busts of great writers and thinkers. People Alexander Pope was one of the great satirical poets of his day, but also moved in high society. He was on close terms with many aristocratic patrons and connoisseurs, notably the Palladian architect Richard Boyle, 3rd Earl of Burlington, and Baron Cobham of Stowe in Buckinghamshire. Pope had suffered from chronic ill health since his youth, and Sir Joshua Reynolds remarked that Roubiliac had observed the poet's 'countenance was that of a person who had been much afflicted with headache, and that he should have known the fact from the contracted appearance of the skin beneath his eyebrows, though he had not been otherwise apprised of it'. Materials & Making Marble busts were among the most prestigious types of portrait undertaken in Britain during the 18th century. The marble, a relatively expensive material, was imported, usually from Italy via The Netherlands, since there are no marble quarries in this country. The skills needed to carve marble were also commonly learned abroad, where an aspiring artist would probably gain his most important training assisting an established sculptor. |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | A.14&:2-1947 |
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| Record created | March 27, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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