Two figures supporting a shield
Model
ca. 1860 - ca. 1870 (made)
ca. 1860 - ca. 1870 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This is the model for the heraldic achievement as originally conceived for the Wellington Monument as part of Alfred Stevens's designs in St Paul's Cathedral.
In 1856 the Government announced a competetion for a monument to Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington (1769-1852). Although Stevens came equal fith in the competition he was eventually given the commission as his design was felt to be more in keeping with the interior of St Paul's Cathedral.
A sculptor, designer and painter, Alfred Stevens (1817/18-1875) rejected contemporary distinctions between fine art and design. From 1850 to 1857 he was chief designer to Hoole & Co., Sheffield, where he produced award-winning designs for metalwork, majolica, terracotta ornaments and chimney-pieces. Perhaps his two greatest works were the decorations for the dining-room at Dorchester House, London (about 1856), for which he made countless drawings inspired by the Italian High Renaissance style, in particular the work of Michelangelo and the monument to the Duke of Wellington for St Paul's Cathedral, London, which was completed after his death. The two allegorical groups from this monument made a lasting impact on the New Sculpture movement.
The influence of the Italian Renaissance is evident in much of Steven's work, and is perhaps best reflected in the Wellington monument.
In 1856 the Government announced a competetion for a monument to Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington (1769-1852). Although Stevens came equal fith in the competition he was eventually given the commission as his design was felt to be more in keeping with the interior of St Paul's Cathedral.
A sculptor, designer and painter, Alfred Stevens (1817/18-1875) rejected contemporary distinctions between fine art and design. From 1850 to 1857 he was chief designer to Hoole & Co., Sheffield, where he produced award-winning designs for metalwork, majolica, terracotta ornaments and chimney-pieces. Perhaps his two greatest works were the decorations for the dining-room at Dorchester House, London (about 1856), for which he made countless drawings inspired by the Italian High Renaissance style, in particular the work of Michelangelo and the monument to the Duke of Wellington for St Paul's Cathedral, London, which was completed after his death. The two allegorical groups from this monument made a lasting impact on the New Sculpture movement.
The influence of the Italian Renaissance is evident in much of Steven's work, and is perhaps best reflected in the Wellington monument.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Two figures supporting a shield (named collection) |
| Materials and techniques | Plaster cast |
| Brief description | Sketch model, plaster cast, two figures supporting a shield, for the Wellington Monument, by Alfred Stevens, England, ca. 1860-70 |
| Physical description | Plaster cast. Two figures supporting a shield surrounded by the Garter and surmounted by a coronet; part of a model for the Wellington Monument in St. Paul's Cathedral executed by the late Alfred Stevens. |
| Dimensions |
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| Object history | Purchased from John Webb Singer & Sons in 1889 for £6. On loan to the Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool between March 1951 and April 1971. |
| Historical context | This is the model for the heraldic achievement as originally conceived for the Wellington monument. It was altered in the finished monument. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This is the model for the heraldic achievement as originally conceived for the Wellington Monument as part of Alfred Stevens's designs in St Paul's Cathedral. In 1856 the Government announced a competetion for a monument to Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington (1769-1852). Although Stevens came equal fith in the competition he was eventually given the commission as his design was felt to be more in keeping with the interior of St Paul's Cathedral. A sculptor, designer and painter, Alfred Stevens (1817/18-1875) rejected contemporary distinctions between fine art and design. From 1850 to 1857 he was chief designer to Hoole & Co., Sheffield, where he produced award-winning designs for metalwork, majolica, terracotta ornaments and chimney-pieces. Perhaps his two greatest works were the decorations for the dining-room at Dorchester House, London (about 1856), for which he made countless drawings inspired by the Italian High Renaissance style, in particular the work of Michelangelo and the monument to the Duke of Wellington for St Paul's Cathedral, London, which was completed after his death. The two allegorical groups from this monument made a lasting impact on the New Sculpture movement. The influence of the Italian Renaissance is evident in much of Steven's work, and is perhaps best reflected in the Wellington monument. |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | 407-1889 |
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| Record created | October 27, 2008 |
| Record URL |
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