Not currently on display at the V&A

Henry Cowper

Bust
1828 (made)
Artist/Maker
Chantrey, Sir Francis (sculptor)
Place of origin
England (made)

This marble bust made by Sir Francis Legatt Chantrey in 1828 is representing Henry Cowper, a cousin of the poet William Cowper. He was Deputy Clerk of the Houses of Parliament and Clerk Assistance of the House of Lords.
Chantrey excelled in the carving of drapery, as well as in conveying the character of the sitter, seen here in the thoughful facial expression. The drapery evokes the toga worn by the citizens of ancient Rome, suggesting Cowper's role as a public servant.

Sir Francis Legatt Chantrey (1781-1842) was an English sculptor, painter, and patron. He was probably the most successful portrait sculptor of his day. Together with Flaxman Chantrey can be ranked as England's greatest sculptor engaging in portrait busts and statues. He was particularly skilled in carving drapery. On his death he left a fortune of £150,000 which was later bequeathed to the Royal Academy to be used for the 'Encouragement of British Fine Art in Painting and Sculpture'.


Object details

Categories
Sculpture
Portraits
Politics
Object type
Bust
TitleHenry Cowper (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Marble
Marble
Brief description
Bust, marble, Henry Cowper, by Sir Francis Legatt Chantrey, English, 1828
Physical description
Bust, marble. The sitter wears a heavy cloak-like drapery which leaves the neck and part of the chest exposed. The end of the drapery, which falls over his left breast is turned back like a cuff. On a turned circular base like a cuff. Signed and dated on the back.
Dimensions
  • Height: 69cm
Marks and inscriptions
'CHANTREY.SC./1828' (on the back)
Credit line
Bequeathed by Rupert Gunnis, Esq.
Object history
Bequesthed by Rupert Gunnis, Esq, Hungershell Lodge, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, in 1965.
Subject depicted
Cowper, Henry
Summary
This marble bust made by Sir Francis Legatt Chantrey in 1828 is representing Henry Cowper, a cousin of the poet William Cowper. He was Deputy Clerk of the Houses of Parliament and Clerk Assistance of the House of Lords.
Chantrey excelled in the carving of drapery, as well as in conveying the character of the sitter, seen here in the thoughful facial expression. The drapery evokes the toga worn by the citizens of ancient Rome, suggesting Cowper's role as a public servant.

Sir Francis Legatt Chantrey (1781-1842) was an English sculptor, painter, and patron. He was probably the most successful portrait sculptor of his day. Together with Flaxman Chantrey can be ranked as England's greatest sculptor engaging in portrait busts and statues. He was particularly skilled in carving drapery. On his death he left a fortune of £150,000 which was later bequeathed to the Royal Academy to be used for the 'Encouragement of British Fine Art in Painting and Sculpture'.
Bibliographic references
  • Yarrington, A et al, 'The [Chantry] Ledgers', Walpole Society, LVI, 1991/2, 1994, p. 190, no. 165b
  • Bilbey, Diane with Trusted, Marjorie. British Sculpture 1470 to 2000. A Concise Catalogue of the Collection at the Victoria and Albert Museum. London: V& A Publications, 2002. pp. 235. cat. no. 357.
  • Penny, Nicholas. Catalogue of European Sculpture in the Ashmolean Museum 1540 to the present day, Oxford, 1992, Vol. III, p. 230
  • Kilmurray, E, Dictionary of British Portraiture, Later Georgian and Early Victorians- historical figures born between 1700 and 1800, London, II, 1979, p. 53.
  • Knox, T, 'Portrait of a Collector: Rupert Gunnis at Hungershall Lodge and his Bequest to the Victoria and Albert Museum', Sculpture Journal, II, 1998, p. 95, no. 24.
Collection
Sculpture Collection
Accession number
A.65-1965

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Record createdJune 24, 2009
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O312605/henry-cowper-bust-chantrey-sir-francis/
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