Prince Albert Victor, Duke of Clarence and Avondale thumbnail 1
Not currently on display at the V&A

Prince Albert Victor, Duke of Clarence and Avondale

Model
1892 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This is Sir Alfred Gilbert's working model for the tomb of the Duke of Clarence in the Albert Memorial Chapel, St George's Windsor. The tomb, commissioned in 1892 shortly after the death of the Duke, was not finally completed until 1928. The finished monument differs considerably from this sketch-model.

Sir Alfred Gilbert (1854-1934) was a famous British sculptor of the late 19th century. He was also medallist, goldsmith and draughtsman. He was known for his inventiveness and characteristically used many different materials in the same work. He epitomised the movement known as the “New Sculpture”, with a new focus on naturalistic forms. His many commissions included for example the celebrated figure of Eros, part of the Shaftsbury memorial.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitlePrince Albert Victor, Duke of Clarence and Avondale (named collection)
Materials and techniques
Bronzed wax
Brief description
Model, plaster, plasticine and wax, for the Tomb of Prince Albert Victor, Duke of Clarence and Avondale, by Alfred Gilbert, England, 1892
Physical description
Sketch model in bronzed wax on a plaster base. The Duke lies, in robes, on an elaborately moulded sarcophagus with an angel crouched at his head. On the foot of the sarcophagus is a small seated figure.
Dimensions
  • Height: 30cm
  • Length: 42cm
  • Width: 18cm
Credit line
Presented by Art Fund and Mr. Sigismund Goetze
Object history
In the studio of the sculptor at the time of his death. Given by Mr Sigismund Goetze and the National Art Collections Fund in 1936, together with cat. nos. with A.88-1936 and 90 to 99-1936.
Historical context
The commission for the tomb was given shortly after the Duke's death in 1892 and a sketch model was exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1894, but the work was not completed until after Gilbert's return to London in 1926.
Subjects depicted
Summary
This is Sir Alfred Gilbert's working model for the tomb of the Duke of Clarence in the Albert Memorial Chapel, St George's Windsor. The tomb, commissioned in 1892 shortly after the death of the Duke, was not finally completed until 1928. The finished monument differs considerably from this sketch-model.

Sir Alfred Gilbert (1854-1934) was a famous British sculptor of the late 19th century. He was also medallist, goldsmith and draughtsman. He was known for his inventiveness and characteristically used many different materials in the same work. He epitomised the movement known as the “New Sculpture”, with a new focus on naturalistic forms. His many commissions included for example the celebrated figure of Eros, part of the Shaftsbury memorial.
Bibliographic references
  • 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. 279-280, cat. no. 427
  • Bury, Adrian, The Shadow of Eros, London, 1954, pp. 70, 87, pl. XIII
  • Cox, Machell E., Commemorative Catalogue of an exhibition of models and designs by the late Sir Alfred Gilbert R.A., Victoria & Albert Museum, London, Oxford, 1936. p.17, pi.VI
  • Dorment, R. Alfred Gilbert Sculptor and Goldsmith. (exh. cat.), Royal Academy of Arts, London, 1986, p. 159, n. 3 on p. 160 and fig. 58 on p. 159
Collection
Accession number
A.89:1-1936

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Record createdJune 24, 2009
Record URL
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