Head of a lion
Model
ca.1858 - ca. 1866 (made)
ca.1858 - ca. 1866 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This plaster model of the head of a colossal lion by Sir Edwin Landseer is a model for the lions at the base of Nelson's column in Trafalgar Square. Landseer was commissioned to design the lions in 1858, and they were cast by Carlo Marochetti in 1866, and unveiled in January 1867. The main section of the monument to Admiral Nelson had been completed in 1843, but the lions were not in place until over 20 years later. Two previous sculptors had been approached, John Lough (1798-1876) who failed to produce any designs, and Thomas Milnes (c.1810-1888), whose designs were rejected. Landseer was invited to submit models because of his skill as an animal painter.
Landseer was indeed one of the most popular British painters of his day. Landseer was commissioned in 1858 to design the four bronze lions to sit at the four corners of the column. The lions, which were cast by Carlo Marochetti in 1866, and unveiled in January 1867, represent Landseer's first use of bronze. Blackwood recorded that the main section of the Nelson memorial was completed by 1843, with the figure of Nelson being executed by Edward Hodges Baily. He notes that 'the famous lions took a full sixty-two years to assume guard. The first sculptor commissioned, John Lough, failed to provide any. Thomas Milnes' lions were so lacking in spirit that they were rejected. Finally on the strength of his skill as a painter of animals, Sir Edwin Landseer was brought in'.
Landseer was indeed one of the most popular British painters of his day. Landseer was commissioned in 1858 to design the four bronze lions to sit at the four corners of the column. The lions, which were cast by Carlo Marochetti in 1866, and unveiled in January 1867, represent Landseer's first use of bronze. Blackwood recorded that the main section of the Nelson memorial was completed by 1843, with the figure of Nelson being executed by Edward Hodges Baily. He notes that 'the famous lions took a full sixty-two years to assume guard. The first sculptor commissioned, John Lough, failed to provide any. Thomas Milnes' lions were so lacking in spirit that they were rejected. Finally on the strength of his skill as a painter of animals, Sir Edwin Landseer was brought in'.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 3 parts.
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| Title | Head of a lion (named collection) |
| Materials and techniques | Plaster painted |
| Brief description | Model, painted plaster, colossal head of a lion, by Sir Edwin Henry Landseer R.A., England, ca. 1858-66 |
| Physical description | Colossal head of a lion. Experimental design by the late Sir Edwin Landseer, R.A., for two of the figures of lions at the base of Nelson's column in Trafalgar Square. The model has sustained some damage, though the integral festures of the head remain intact. |
| Dimensions |
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| Credit line | Given by the sisters of the artist, Mrs Mackenzie and Miss Landseer in 1880. |
| Object history | Given by Mrs Mackenzie and Miss Landseer, sisters of the artist, in 1880. |
| Subject depicted | |
| Association | |
| Summary | This plaster model of the head of a colossal lion by Sir Edwin Landseer is a model for the lions at the base of Nelson's column in Trafalgar Square. Landseer was commissioned to design the lions in 1858, and they were cast by Carlo Marochetti in 1866, and unveiled in January 1867. The main section of the monument to Admiral Nelson had been completed in 1843, but the lions were not in place until over 20 years later. Two previous sculptors had been approached, John Lough (1798-1876) who failed to produce any designs, and Thomas Milnes (c.1810-1888), whose designs were rejected. Landseer was invited to submit models because of his skill as an animal painter. Landseer was indeed one of the most popular British painters of his day. Landseer was commissioned in 1858 to design the four bronze lions to sit at the four corners of the column. The lions, which were cast by Carlo Marochetti in 1866, and unveiled in January 1867, represent Landseer's first use of bronze. Blackwood recorded that the main section of the Nelson memorial was completed by 1843, with the figure of Nelson being executed by Edward Hodges Baily. He notes that 'the famous lions took a full sixty-two years to assume guard. The first sculptor commissioned, John Lough, failed to provide any. Thomas Milnes' lions were so lacking in spirit that they were rejected. Finally on the strength of his skill as a painter of animals, Sir Edwin Landseer was brought in'. |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | 317:3-1880 |
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| Record created | July 14, 2008 |
| Record URL |
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