Unknown Man and Woman
Portrait Relief
1851 (made)
1851 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This wax relief represents an unknown man and woman facing each other.
It is thought to be the work of J.Fillans and dates from 1851.
Wax portraits had become popular during the 18th century in Britain, but some artists continued the tradition in this material during the early 19th century, especially before the invention of photography. They were often modelled from the life; a mould could be made from this initial model, from which further copies could be cast. The waxes were small and portable, and the nature of the material meant that they were extremely naturalistic. Sometimes they were coloured, and extra items added, such as textiles, seed pearls or coloured glass, to increase the life-like appearance of the portrayal.
It is thought to be the work of J.Fillans and dates from 1851.
Wax portraits had become popular during the 18th century in Britain, but some artists continued the tradition in this material during the early 19th century, especially before the invention of photography. They were often modelled from the life; a mould could be made from this initial model, from which further copies could be cast. The waxes were small and portable, and the nature of the material meant that they were extremely naturalistic. Sometimes they were coloured, and extra items added, such as textiles, seed pearls or coloured glass, to increase the life-like appearance of the portrayal.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Unknown Man and Woman |
| Materials and techniques | Wax |
| Brief description | Double portrait, wax, relief, English, 1851 |
| Physical description | Two wax reliefs of a woman in profile to the left and a bearded man in profile to the right. The woman on the right has an elaborate hairstyle with curls. The man is bearded and wears classical style drapery. |
| Credit line | Rupert Gunnis Bequest |
| Object history | Bequeathed by Rupert Gunnis, Esq. |
| Production | Said to be signed 'J Fillans 1851'. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This wax relief represents an unknown man and woman facing each other. It is thought to be the work of J.Fillans and dates from 1851. Wax portraits had become popular during the 18th century in Britain, but some artists continued the tradition in this material during the early 19th century, especially before the invention of photography. They were often modelled from the life; a mould could be made from this initial model, from which further copies could be cast. The waxes were small and portable, and the nature of the material meant that they were extremely naturalistic. Sometimes they were coloured, and extra items added, such as textiles, seed pearls or coloured glass, to increase the life-like appearance of the portrayal. |
| Bibliographic reference | Pyke, E. A Bibliographical Dictionary of Wax Modellers, Oxford, Clarendon Press, 1973. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | A.82-1965 |
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| Record created | March 16, 2004 |
| Record URL |
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