King George III
Relief
1760-1778 (made)
1760-1778 (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
Wax is used as a sculpting material for preliminary models and for works in their own right. It is quick and easy to shape, yet also cheap. Once softened, it is modelled in a similar way to clay, with the composition built up gradually. To enhance the wax, pigment can be added before moulding and pearls or other jewels can be embedded in the surface afterwards. Isaac Gosset came from a family of wax modellers and was said to have been able to produce a startling likeness in just half an hour. He was highly successful, with clients from the royal family and the aristocracy.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Title | King George III |
Materials and techniques | Wax, on glass |
Brief description | Relief, Wax, English, by Isaac Gosset (1713-1799), about 1760-1778 |
Physical description | The profile, in cream wax on black glass, of the king is shown facing to the right. He wears a long curled wig tied with a ribbon and an elaborately trimmed frock coat over a frilled shirt. |
Dimensions |
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Marks and inscriptions | 'I. GOSSETT / Berwick Street, Soho / George the third'. (Label on the back.) |
Credit line | From the Mary Bate collection |
Object history | From the Mary Bate Collection, ex. loan 89. Bought from Philip Bate for £150. |
Historical context | Another version of this medallion in wax with an original frame and acting as a pendant to a wax of Queen Charlotte was on sale by the dealer John May, 40 Kensington Church Street, London, July 1987. |
Subject depicted | |
Summary | Wax is used as a sculpting material for preliminary models and for works in their own right. It is quick and easy to shape, yet also cheap. Once softened, it is modelled in a similar way to clay, with the composition built up gradually. To enhance the wax, pigment can be added before moulding and pearls or other jewels can be embedded in the surface afterwards. Isaac Gosset came from a family of wax modellers and was said to have been able to produce a startling likeness in just half an hour. He was highly successful, with clients from the royal family and the aristocracy. |
Bibliographic references |
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Collection | |
Accession number | A.57-1970 |
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Record created | March 18, 2004 |
Record URL |
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