Object Type
This marble group is a close copy of a heavily restored antique group originally excavated in Rome (it was recorded in the Ludovisi Collection in 1623), and later in the collection of Queen Christina of Sweden in Rome. The antique group was sold to Philip V of Spain in 1724, and is now in the Prado, Madrid. Joseph Nollekens (1737-1823) probably made his marble version from the plaster copy kept at the French Academy in Rome. Nollekens's group was made for Thomas Anson (1695-1773) of Shugborough Hall, Staffordshire. Antique statues and copies were highly prized in 18th-century Britain, and numerous country houses had their own sculpture galleries.
Subject
The identification of the group as 'Castor and Pollux' has been disputed, but it is the name by which it is commonly known. Castor and Pollux, known as the 'Dioscuri', sons of Zeus, were twin brothers, hatched from eggs laid by Leda, after Zeus in the form of a swan that had seduced her. They were renowned as warriors, and are the heavenly twins of the zodiac Gemini.
People
Joseph Nollekens was apprenticed to the sculptor Peter Scheemakers in London in 1750. Following his training, in 1760 he went to Rome, where he stayed until 1770. While there he established a reputation for portrait busts and figure groups, and made important contacts among visting aristocrats on the Grand Tour. On returning to London, his work as a sculptor was widely sought, and he produced a prolific number of marble busts, monuments and statues.
Physical description
Group in white marble. Two nude standing figures of young men. The figure on the right holds in his right hand a torch reversed so that the flame touches a small altar in the fore-groun; in his left he holds another torch backwards over his shoulder. The second youth leans with his left arm round the shoulders of the torch bearer. In his right hand he holds a flat disc. Both figures wear laurel wreaths in their hair. On an altar to the right is a small draped female figure.
Place of Origin
Rome, Italy (made)
Date
1767 (dated)
Artist/maker
Nollekens, Joseph, born 1737 - died 1823 (maker)
Materials and Techniques
Marble
Dimensions
Height: 160.6 cm, Width: 49.5 cm base, Depth: 101.6 cm base
Object history note
Commissioned by Lord Anson of Shugborough Hall, Staffordshire. Carved in Rome by Joseph Nollekens (born in London, 1737, died there in 1823). Included in the Shugborough Hall sale held by Mr George Robins on 1 August 1842 and the following thirteen days, the group was featured in the eighth day's sale, held on 9th August 1842, described as part of the large collection of antique and modern statuary at Shugborough Hall. Lot 90 located to "The area of the Bust Gallery', it was described as 'A truly magnificent specimen of modern sculpture, the life size group of Castor and Pollux, in pure statuary marble, copied from the antique by Nollekens, it is 5 feet 4 [inches] high, and may be ranked as on the finest efforts of this renowned English sculptor, also a stone pedestal, 2 feet 4 [inches] high. The group was sold for £320 3s 0d. Purchased by Mr H. Soden, the father of the donor Mrs H.B. Borradaile, around 1935. Bequeathed to the Museum by Mrs Borradaile in 1940, the group was given by Brigadier Gen. H. Borradaile, D.S.O. in accordance with the wishes of his later wife.
Descriptive line
Group, marble, copy of the antique sculpture of Castor and Pollux, by Joseph Nollekens R.A., English, made in Rome, 1767
Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)
Haskell, F and Penny, N. Taste and the Antique. New Haven. 1982. p. 174
Lord, J. 'Joseph Nollekens and Lord Yarborough: documents and drawings'. Burlington Magazine. CXXX. December 1988, p. 915, note 4.
Walker, S. 'The Sculpture Gallery of Prince Livio Odescalchi.' Journal of the History of Collections. Vol. 6, no. 2, 1994, p. 196 and p. 195, fig. 12.
Beaven, L. 'Camillo Massimi as Patron of Sculptors: Francois Puquesnoy, Alessandro Algardi, Francesco Fontana and Cosimo Fancelli', Melbourne Art Journal. No. 3, 1999, fig. 8 on p. 31.
Whinney, M. Sculpture in Britain 1530 to 1830., London, 1988, Second Edition, p.288.
Coltman, V. 'Thomas Anson's Sculpture Collection at Shugborough: ''Living good and pleasing'' or ''much taste a turn to Roman splendour'', Sculpture Journal. XII, 2004, fig. 1 on pp. 36 and pp.37, 49.
Bilbey, Diane with Trusted, Marjorie. British Sculpture 1470 to 2000. A Concise Catalogue of the Collection at the Victoria and Albert Museum. London: V& A Publications, 2002. pp. 96. cat. no. 130.
Gunnis, R., Dictionary of British Sculptors 1660-1851, (revised edition, first published London 1953), London, 1968, p. 277
Exhibition History
Antinous: The face of the Antique (Henry Moore Institute, Leeds 24/05/2006-27/08/2006)
Labels and date
British Galleries:
By 1760 the demand of collectors for antique marble sculptures was greater than the supply. British and Italian sculptors in Rome and Florence did a thriving trade in copies. In the 18th century this one was thought to represent the Dioscuri, Castor and Pollux, sons of the Roman god, Jupiter. The original sculpture had already left Rome for Spain in 1724 and Nollekens based his copy on a plaster cast. [27/03/2003]
Associated names
Anson, Thomas
Production Note
Signed and dated 1767
Materials
Marble
Techniques
Carved
Subjects depicted
Castor and Pollux
Categories
Sculpture; Myths & Legends
Collection code
SCP
