Helen of Troy
Bust
ca. 1825-1830 (made)
ca. 1825-1830 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This portrait bust is representing Helen of Troy and is made by John Gibson (1791-1866) in ca. 1825-30. This may be Gibson's earliest bust, probably executed a few years after his arrival in Rome in 1817. According to myth, Helen was the daughter of Zeus who in the guise of a swan had seduced Helen's mother Leda. Helen hatched from an egg, indicated in this bust by the eggshell seen on her head.
Gibson (1790-1866) was apprenticed to Messrs Franceys, the Liverpool firm of statuaries and later removed to Rome where he received instruction from Canova and Thorwaldsen. Elected A.R.A in 1833 and RA in 1838. He became the leading English sculptor of his generation working in the neo-classical style and was famous for such works as the Tinted Venus, Pandora, Mars and Cupid and Psyche and Zephers. He also executed public statues and busts. He bequeathed his property on his death to the Royal Academy.
Gibson (1790-1866) was apprenticed to Messrs Franceys, the Liverpool firm of statuaries and later removed to Rome where he received instruction from Canova and Thorwaldsen. Elected A.R.A in 1833 and RA in 1838. He became the leading English sculptor of his generation working in the neo-classical style and was famous for such works as the Tinted Venus, Pandora, Mars and Cupid and Psyche and Zephers. He also executed public statues and busts. He bequeathed his property on his death to the Royal Academy.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Helen of Troy (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Marble |
| Brief description | Bust, marble, Helen of Troy, by John Gibson, probably made in Rome, ca. 1825-1830 |
| Physical description | This is a portrait bust of Helen from Troy. She is depicted facing right, with an eggshell on her head. |
| Dimensions |
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| Style | |
| Marks and inscriptions | 'I GIBSON FECIT ROMÆ' (Signature; On truncation at the back) |
| Credit line | Given by Mrs Borradaile |
| Object history | Given by Mrs. Borradaile in 1950. Historical significance: This may be Gibson's earliest bust, probably executed a few years after his arrival in Rome in 1817. According to myth, Helen was the daughter of Zeus who in the guise of a swan had seduced Helen's mother Leda. Helen hatched from an egg, indicated in this bust by the eggshell seen on her head. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This portrait bust is representing Helen of Troy and is made by John Gibson (1791-1866) in ca. 1825-30. This may be Gibson's earliest bust, probably executed a few years after his arrival in Rome in 1817. According to myth, Helen was the daughter of Zeus who in the guise of a swan had seduced Helen's mother Leda. Helen hatched from an egg, indicated in this bust by the eggshell seen on her head. Gibson (1790-1866) was apprenticed to Messrs Franceys, the Liverpool firm of statuaries and later removed to Rome where he received instruction from Canova and Thorwaldsen. Elected A.R.A in 1833 and RA in 1838. He became the leading English sculptor of his generation working in the neo-classical style and was famous for such works as the Tinted Venus, Pandora, Mars and Cupid and Psyche and Zephers. He also executed public statues and busts. He bequeathed his property on his death to the Royal Academy. |
| Bibliographic reference | Bilbey, Diane and Trusted, Marjorie. British Sculpture 1470-2000. A Concise Catalogue of the Collection at the Victoria and Albert Museum. London: Victoria and Albert Museum, 2002, p. 272, cat.no. 415 |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | A.25-1950 |
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| Record created | March 1, 2004 |
| Record URL |
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