Thomas Guy
Relief
1700-1724 (made)
1700-1724 (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
This rectangular relief depicts in vivid form the renowned philanthropist and founder of Guy's Hospital, Thomas Guy, and is made by David Le Marchand in ca. 1700-1724. Portraits in ivory were fashionable in the 17th and 18th centuries. Generally elephant or walrus ivory was used. Since the pieces were limited in size the portraits tended to be small, yet they could still be monumental in form.
David Le Marchand (1674-1726) was famed for his ivory carvings, particularly his portraits. He was a native of Dieppe, France, and came from a Huguenot, or Protestant, family. With the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes in 1685, and the consequent persecution of non-Catholics, he had to flee France. He was next recorded in Edinburgh in 1696, where he is documented as receiving official permission to open a shop and take on apprentices. He was in London by 1700, when he started to achieve a reputation for his portraits. Despite his wide circle of important patrons and his evident success, Le Marchand apparently died in poverty, though the exact reasons for this are unknown.
He is recognised as the most distinguished ivory carver to have worked in England in the early 18th century, a period when the art enjoyed a popularity unknown since the Middle Ages.
David Le Marchand (1674-1726) was famed for his ivory carvings, particularly his portraits. He was a native of Dieppe, France, and came from a Huguenot, or Protestant, family. With the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes in 1685, and the consequent persecution of non-Catholics, he had to flee France. He was next recorded in Edinburgh in 1696, where he is documented as receiving official permission to open a shop and take on apprentices. He was in London by 1700, when he started to achieve a reputation for his portraits. Despite his wide circle of important patrons and his evident success, Le Marchand apparently died in poverty, though the exact reasons for this are unknown.
He is recognised as the most distinguished ivory carver to have worked in England in the early 18th century, a period when the art enjoyed a popularity unknown since the Middle Ages.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Title | Thomas Guy (generic title) |
Materials and techniques | Carved ivory |
Brief description | Relief, ivory, portrait of Thomas Guy, by David le Marchand, Britain, ca. 1700-24 |
Physical description | Represented full face with a long wig parted in the centre, facing frontally. Wearing a coat opened to show a waistcoat and a plain stock with long ends. Signed on the back 'D.L.M. sculp.' |
Dimensions |
|
Marks and inscriptions | 'D.L.M. scul.' (on the back) |
Credit line | Given by Dr W. L. Hildburgh FSA |
Object history | Given by Dr W.L Hildburgh, F.S.A. in 1936; probably bought by the donor in London. |
Subjects depicted | |
Summary | This rectangular relief depicts in vivid form the renowned philanthropist and founder of Guy's Hospital, Thomas Guy, and is made by David Le Marchand in ca. 1700-1724. Portraits in ivory were fashionable in the 17th and 18th centuries. Generally elephant or walrus ivory was used. Since the pieces were limited in size the portraits tended to be small, yet they could still be monumental in form. David Le Marchand (1674-1726) was famed for his ivory carvings, particularly his portraits. He was a native of Dieppe, France, and came from a Huguenot, or Protestant, family. With the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes in 1685, and the consequent persecution of non-Catholics, he had to flee France. He was next recorded in Edinburgh in 1696, where he is documented as receiving official permission to open a shop and take on apprentices. He was in London by 1700, when he started to achieve a reputation for his portraits. Despite his wide circle of important patrons and his evident success, Le Marchand apparently died in poverty, though the exact reasons for this are unknown. He is recognised as the most distinguished ivory carver to have worked in England in the early 18th century, a period when the art enjoyed a popularity unknown since the Middle Ages. |
Bibliographic references |
|
Collection | |
Accession number | A.1-1936 |
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 | January 12, 2004 |
Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest